抄録
Fine structures of chitosan films, prepared from the liquid crystalline solution under shear deformation, were investigated by using the polarized microscope and the X-ray diffraction technique.
The cast film (L1) showed the so-called “banded structure” similar to those found in other rigid polymers such as aromatic polyamides12), cellulose derivatives13-15) and polyamino acid derivatives16). The banded structure did not disappear even when the cast film was treated with a 4% aqueous NaOH solution, methanol or water and then dried. However, the crystal structure was changed by these chemical treatments. Especially, it was noted that the crystallinity increased and the crystal perfection proceeded by the alkali treatment or the water swelling after the methanol treatment. This suggests that the water molecule plays an important role in the chain packing of chitosan molecule on the formation of crystal.
