High-yield preparation of a zwitterionically charged chitin nanofiber and its application in a doubly pH-responsive Pickering emulsion
2017
Pang, Kai | Ding, Beibei | Liu, Xiaoting | Wu, Hao | Duan, Yongxin | Zhang, Jianming
Novel zwitterionic chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) decorated with both cationic (NH₃⁺) and anionic (COO⁻) groups on the surface have broad applications in various environments. Herein, we demonstrate a rapid and high-yield (up to 85%) synthesis of a zwitterionic ChNF by the combination of partial deacetylation and oxidation using the TEMPO/NaClO₂/NaClO system. Meanwhile, we present the potential application of a bio-based ChNF as an environmentally and doubly pH-responsive Pickering emulsifier to replace conventional pH-responsive Pickering emulsifiers such as inorganic nanoparticles or grafted polymers. This high yield preparation achieved by our method will be in favor of the large-scale applications of ChNFs.
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