Patent ID: 9169376
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: C08J,C08K,C08L

Abstract:
1. A method of processing chitin comprising: forming an initially non-colloidal mixture substantially of chitin and about 2.5N to about 4N hydrochloric acid to subject the chitin to hydrolysis; upon the initially non-colloidal mixture becoming substantially colloidal, controlling conditions of the substantially colloidal mixture to slow the hydrolysis, wherein controlling conditions of the substantially colloidal mixture comprises, without substantially diluting the substantially colloidal mixture, adding a base to the substantially colloidal mixture and applying a chill to the substantially colloidal mixture to rapidly bring the substantially colloidal mixture to below about 25° C. (77° F.); dialyzing the substantially colloidal mixture to produce a processed colloidal mixture consisting substantially of water and crystalline chitin; and reducing amount of agglomerated crystalline chitin and water in the processed colloidal mixture thereby to yield chitin nanowhisker gel.