Preparation and properties of alginate/water-soluble chitin blend fibers

Water-soluble chitin (half-deacetylated chitin) was prepared from chitosan by N-acetylation with acetic anhydride. Alginate/water-soluble chitin blend fibers were prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2 and ethanol. The structure and properties of the blend fibers were studied with the aids of infrared spectra (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). structure analysis indicated good miscibility existed between alginate and water-soluble chitin, due to the strong interaction from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. Best values for the dry tensile strength and breaking elongation were obtained when the water-soluble chitin content was 30 wt%. The wet tensile strength and breaking elongation decreased with the increase of water-soluble chitin content. The introduction of water-soluble chitin in the blend fiber can improve the water-retention properties of the blend fiber compared to pure alginate fiber. The fibers treated with aqueous solution of silver nitrate have good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus.