Abstract:

According to a method elaborated in the Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres (the former Institute of Chemical Fibres), Łódź, Poland, we prepared chitosan microfibrids with a diameter of 1 to 5 μm in wet condition, which shrinks to the range of only 0.2 to 1.0 μm after drying. We determined the optimum properties of the spinning solutions, suitable for the successful formation of microfibrids. We studied how the forming conditions, such as the $flow speed of the spinning solution and the coagulation bath, influence the properties of the formed microfibrids, principally dimensions and water retention value. Investigations into the molecular, super-molecular and morphological structure of the microfibrids provided much information on the characteristics of this new form of chitosan. We also evaluated the possibility of using microfibrids for the preparation of nonwovens.