Abstract:

Microporous dibutyrylchitin (DBC) fibres spun from DBC solution in ethyl alcohol were subjected to alkaline treatment in potassium hydroxide aqueous solutions. Alkaline treatment with a diluted KOH solution at room temperature causes a gradual decrease in the number of butyric groups, which leads to obtaining fibres from the regenerated chitin. Further treatment of the fibres with a saturated KOH solution at an elevated temperature produces chitosan fibres with various degrees of deacetylation (DD), values which depend on the duration of the deacetylation process. The course of the deacetylation process was evaluated on the basis of the results of the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy measurements. The method suggested allows for the precise measuring of the level of conversion without additional mechanical treatment (rubbing, powdering). A prepared sample is placed in the measuring chamber of the spectroscope. The FTNIR spectra of the fibres examined have characteristic bands whose analysis allows for clear determination of the level of deacetylation during chemical treatment.