Optimum Preparation Conditions for Highly Individualized Chitin Nanofibers Using Ultrasonic Generator

The study optimized the preparation of chitin nanofibers from crab shells using ultrasonic treatment, finding that a frequency of 45 kHz for 30 minutes was optimal, achieving a 96% yield. This method produced spindle-shaped nanofibers with a width of 4–5 nm and a length of 294 nm. The process relied on electrostatic repulsion and osmotic pressure, and the resulting nanofibers were highly individualized and homogeneously dispersed in water. The study concluded that ultrasonication was a low-cost, energy-efficient, and contamination-free method for producing nanochitin, with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and medical devices due to their excellent physiological functions.