Influence of acetylation treatment on properties of silver containing chitosan fibers

In order to improve the silver releasing properties of chitosan fibers,acetic anhydride was used to modify chitosan fibers for converting the amine groups of fibers into acetamide groups,and consequently decreasing the binding force between the fiber and silver ions. The water absorption and silver releasing properties of the original and acetylated samples were compared. The experimental results showed that the ordered structure of chitosan fibers were damaged by the acetylation treatment,leading to easy penetration of water into the fibers. The partially acetylated chitosan fiber showed a high absorption capacity. Owing to the conversion of free amine groups into acetamide groups,the acetylated fibers can release more silver ions with the increase in the degree of acetylation when wetting.