Rapid dissolution of chitin and chitosan with degree of deacetylation less than 80% in KOH/urea aqueous solution

Abstract

Chitin and chitosan exhibit immense potential applications as biomaterials, wearable flexible electronic devices, energy conversion and storage materials, and food packaging. However, the development of a universal green aqueous solvent for chitin and chitosan, and a comprehensive understanding of their dissolution mechanism, requires further investigation. Here, the rapid dissolution of chitin and chitosan with degree of deacetylation less than 80% in the universal solvent KOH/urea aqueous solution has been analyzed. The hierarchical structural transitions and interactions of deacetylated α-chitin and chitosan in the KOH/urea aqueous solution were investigated. Subsequently, a desolvation–intercalation dissolution mechanism was proposed. This study could guide future research on chitin and chitosan at the molecular level, facilitating the development of advanced chitin- and chitosan-based materials with applications ranging from bioelectronics to regenerative medicine.