Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Cellulose and Chitin as Nanoscopic
Biomaterials
Jacob D. Goodrich, Deepanjan Bhattacharya and William T. Winter
8.1
Overview
Cellulose and chitin nanoparticles were isolated from bagasse, and shrimp shells, respec-
tively. The nanoparticles were characterized by optical, electron, and atomic force
microscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction methods. The
nanoparticles were then topochemically modified with maleate ester groups in the case
of cellulose, and medium- to long-chain aliphatic esters in the case of chitin. The
derivatized nanoparticles were further characterized with spectroscopic techniques and
subsequently melt processed with elastomeric thermoplastics to create nanocompos-
ites having a significant improvement in the mechanical properties relative to the neat
thermoplastics.
8.2
Introduction
Since the start of the 20th century, polymeric materials have begun replacing conven-
tional materials such as wood and metals in a diverse array of industries. Today, polymers
have a ubiquitous presence in our society. They are often mixed with fillers or fibers as a
versatile route to fabricating advanced materials with improved thermal and mechanical
properties, to form what are called polymer composites. Typically, polymer composites
have greater mechanical strength and stiffness than any of their individual components,
and are used in a variety of applications. Historically, polymer composites consisted of
synthetic thermoset resins reinforced with inorganic filler materials like glass fiber. The
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