Abstract:

Microporous dibutyrylchitin (DBC) fibres formed by means of a dry-wet method were treated with aqueous solutions of potassium hydroxide. By applying various parameters of the alkaline treatment, fibres can be transformed into fibres from regenerated chitin or even into chitosan fibres. In the first stage, with the application of 5% KOH solutions and temperatures ranging from 20 to 90 °C, fibres from regenerated chitin were obtained. The subsequent treatment stage with saturated KOH solutions and the temperature range 70 - 140 °C resulted in obtaining fibres from chitosan with different deacetylation degrees.Structural changes in the fibres occurring in the course of their chemical treatment were analysed using RAMAN spectroscopy. Raman spectra were next mathematically processed by means of GRAMS software within the range 1800 - 820 cm-1 in order to evaluate the changes quantitatively. A new method is described for the determination of butyrylation and deacetylation degrees of dibutyrylchitin, chitin and chitosan. Analysis of the fibres obtained carried out by means of RAMAN spectroscopy proves that in the process gradual degradation of the polymer chains takes place.