Chitin Recrystallization and Nanocrystal Synthesis
Chitin, a polysaccharide abundantly sourced from squid pens and crustacean shells, is a versatile biopolymer with diverse applications. α-chitin is predominant in crustacean shells, exhibiting a hierarchical nanofibrillar organization interspersed with proteins and calcium carbonate. Recent attention has focused on chitin nanocrystals (CNCs), produced via acid hydrolysis, which exhibit exceptional mechanical, thermal, and optical properties owing to their high aspect ratio, large surface area, and distinctive crystalline structure.