Thermomechanical Analysis of Composite Films Based on Chitosan and Chitin Nanofibrils

Abstract

Nanocomposite films based on chitosan and filler in the form of chitin nanofibrils were prepared. An analysis of the film morphology by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated a uniform distribution of filler nanoparticles in the bulk of a film and their predominantly planar orientation. The influence exerted by chitin nanofibrils on the elasticity modulus, strength characteristics and the rate of thermal destruction of the films was examined. The method of multifrequency dynamic mechanical analysis was used to evaluate the influence exerted by the content of chitin on the glass-transition temperature of the nanocomposites. The effect of chitin nanoparticles introduced into a bioresorbable chitosan matrix on the hygroscopicity of composite films was examined.