Preparation of chitin nanofiber-reinforced carboxymethyl cellulose films

In this study, we investigated the preparation of chitin nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) films by their electrostatic interaction. First, CMC films and self-assembled CNF dispersions with methanol were prepared by casting technique and regeneration from chitin ion gels with an ionic liquid, respectively. Then, the CMC films were immersed in the dispersions with the different CNF contents, followed by centrifugation to obtain the desired composite films. The amounts of the absorbed CNFs on the films were calculated by the weight increases after the above compatibilization procedure. The presence of CNFs on the films was also confirmed by the SEM and IR measurements. The mechanical properties of the composite films were evaluated by tensile testing, which suggested the reinforcing effect of CNFs present on the CMC films.