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Simplified Fabrication of Optically Transparent Composites Reinforced with Nanostructured Chitin

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Abstract

Optically transparent films reinforced with micro to nano scale chitin particles were successfully developed in this study. Chitin composites based on micro scale particles which are larger than the optical wavelength do not cause light scattering provided that chitin particles are composed of nano structure networks which allow monomer impregnation and polymerization. This could lead a simplified process for fabricating transparent composites. The composites reinforced by the chitin micro particles not only retained the transparency of the plastic but also helped the effectiveness of its co-efficient of thermal expansion as similar to chitin nanofibers. Furthermore, chitin nanofibers transparent films are thermally stable against temperature as high as 200 °C for a long period of time. This could lead to number of important commercial applications, and is a significant move towards the sustainable utilization of marine bio-resources.

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Acknowledgments

The first author is grateful for the financial support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under JSPS Invitation fellowship program and partially the research grants from Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji, Gokasho, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan

    Md. Iftekhar Shams & Hiroyuki Yano

  2. Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh

    Md. Iftekhar Shams

Authors
  1. Md. Iftekhar Shams
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  2. Hiroyuki Yano
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Correspondence to Md. Iftekhar Shams.

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Shams, M.I., Yano, H. Simplified Fabrication of Optically Transparent Composites Reinforced with Nanostructured Chitin. J Polym Environ 21, 937–943 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-013-0612-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-013-0612-0

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