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• Panhuis, M
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Polymers 2012, 4(1), 590-599; doi:10.3390/polym4010590

Commentary

Reinforced Materials Based on Chitosan, TiO₂ and Ag Composites

Khairul Anuar Mat Amin and Marc in het Panhuis*

Soft Materials Group, School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 30 December 2011; in revised form: 30 January 2012 / Accepted: 8 February 2012 / Published: 16 February 2012

Download PDF Full-Text [2085 KB, Updated Version, uploaded 17 February 2012 14:53 CET]

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Abstract: This study investigates the mechanical reinforcement of chitosan with TiO₂ and Ag nanoparticles, as well as their water vapour transmission rates and water resistance behaviour. The mechanical properties of chitosan were improved by addition of TiO₂ or Ag, with significant increases in Young’s modulus (from 25 MPa to ~300 MPa), tensile strength (from 6 MPa to 18–35 MPa) and toughness (from 1.3 J g⁻¹ to 7–8 J g⁻¹). The water vapour transmission rates (368–413 g m⁻² d⁻¹) were found to be similar for both materials. Inclusion of Ag reduced the water resistance (from 823% to 1,000%), while inclusion of TiO₂ yielded significant improvement in water resistance (from 823% to 100%).

Keywords: chitosan; Ag; TiO₂; nanoparticles; mechanical reinforcement; composite

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