Novel fibers of N-acylchitosan and its cellulose composite prepared by spinning their aqueous xanthate solutions

Novel fibers of N-acylchitosan and N-acylchitosan-cellulose composite were prepared. An aq. 14% NaOH solution of sodium N-acylchitosan xanthate [O-(sodium thio) thiocarbonyl N-acylchitosan] and of its mixture with sodium cellulose xanthate [O-(sodium thio) thiocarbonyl cellulose) was spun at 45-50 degrees C through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aq. 10% H2SO4, 32% Na2SO4 and 1.3% ZnSO4. All the fibers obtained were white. N-Propionylchitosan-cellulose composite filament had better mechanical properties than did N-acetylchitosan-cellulose composite filament. These fibers were digested by chitinase and lysozyme, in which the hydrolysis rate was controlled by the N-acyl structure of chitosan. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.