Preparation of chitin nanowhiskers using an ionic liquid and their composite materials with poly(vinyl alcohol)

The preparation of chitin nanowhiskers using an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (AMIMBr) was performed. First, chitin was swollen with AMIMBr by soaking at room temperature, followed by heating at 100 °C. Soaking the resulting gel in methanol and subsequent sonication gave a chitin dispersion. The SEM image of the dispersion showed the formation of chitin nanowhiskers. Then, filtration of the dispersion was carried out to give a chitin film. Composite films of the chitin nanowhiskers with poly(vinyl alcohol) were prepared by a similar procedure to the chitin film. They were characterized by SEM and DSC measurements and their mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing.