article · Journal of Composites Science
Chitosan derived from shrimp shells offers a renewable, biodegradable alternative to synthetic polymers for use as a composite matrix. Because natural origins and extraction processes often introduce property variations, controlling molecular weight and the degree of deacetylation is necessary to tune material behaviour. Chitosan extracted and purified from shrimp shells via a simple and efficient method achieved an average degree of deacetylation of 77 per cent. Comprehensive testing of the resulting films demonstrated measurable mechanical and thermal performance, including a tensile strength of 43.9 MPa and an elongation at break of 3.14 per cent. Thermal evaluation revealed a glass transition temperature of 88 °C and maximum degradation at 320 °C. These characteristics establish a reliable baseline for deploying waste-derived biopolymers in composite applications.
Replacing synthetic polymers with bio-based materials is essential for reducing environmental impact. Extracting high-performance chitosan from seafood waste such as shrimp shells addresses property inconsistencies that typically limit natural polymers. Demonstrating robust mechanical strength and thermal stability helps validate waste-derived biopolymers as functional matrices for sustainable composite manufacturing.
The work represents early-stage laboratory extraction and testing directed at composite matrix applications. It could enable material producers and composite manufacturers to substitute synthetic polymers with a cost-effective, eco-friendly biopolymer derived from seafood waste. Moving towards real-world commercialisation will require scaling the extraction method and demonstrating performance when the matrix is combined with reinforcements in practical composite components.
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Chitosan, which is a derivative of chitin, is particularly popular due to its biodegradable and renewable nature. However, the properties of chitosan can be inconsistent due to the extraction process and its natural origin, which poses a challenge to its use in composite materials as a matrix. The properties of chitosan can be tuned by controlling the degree of deacetylation (the extent to which acetyl groups are removed from chitin to form chitosan) and molecular weight. This paper presents a detailed study on the extraction and characterization of chitosan from shrimp shells. The structural thermal and mechanical characterization were studied using several techniques: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The intrinsic viscosity and deacetylation degree were determined using various methods. The results showed an average degree of deacetylation of 77%. The chitosan films exhibited a high tensile strength of 43.9 MPa and an elongation at break of 3.14%. The thermal analysis revealed that the films had a glass transition temperature of 88 °C and a maximum thermal degradation temperature of 320 °C. The findings of this research could contribute to the development of chitosan-based materials with improved properties, leading to its wider adoption in the future for composite matrix application. The simple and efficient method used for the extraction and purification of chitosan from shrimp shells makes it a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymers.
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DOI: 10.3390/jcs7060260
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