Physicochemical properties of hydrolyzed and blended chitin

The molecular structures of chitin and chitin hydrolyzed with sodium hydrox ide for different time intervals at 160 degreesC were followed using infrar ed spectroscopy in the range 200-4000 cm(-1). The frequency and intensity o f active groups NHCOCH3, NH2, OH, and OCH3 in chitin, chitosan, cellulose, and lignin, respectively, were calculated and correlated with molecular str uctural changes. The dielectric constant ed, dielectric loss epsilon ", and dissipation factor tan delta for the investigated samples were measured in the frequency range 0.1-100 kHz and interpreted in terms of the molecular structure elucidated from the infrared spectroscopic studies. Also, the eff ect of blending of cellulose and lignin with chitin on their dielectric pro perties was investigated. It was found that hydrolysis of chitin improved i ts insulating properties.