A new approach for preparing chitosan fibers from a LiOH/urea solvent system

This study introduces a new approach of preparing chitosan fibers on a laboratory scale, which employs 7.2 wt% LiOH/6.0 wt% urea solvent system. The results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and universal testing machine indicate that the new approach does not change the chemical structure of chitosan. The approach performs better in forming dense structure in the cross section of chitosan fiber and improves thermal stability and mechanical properties of chitosan fibers. The tensile strength of the novel chitosan fibers reached 162.57±4.3 MPa, which was increased by 21.6% compared with that of chitosan fibers prepared by conventional approach.

► The new approach of preparing CS fibers was developed from a alkali solvent system.
► The new approach improved dense structure of CS65 fibers in cross section.
► The tensile strength of the CS65 fibers by the new approach increased by 21.6%.