Water absorption properties of carboxymethyl chitosan fibers

In order to improve the absorption properties of the fiber,this paper used chloroacetic acid to convert chitosan fibers into partially carboxymethylated chitosan fibers.Fibers with various degrees of carboxymethylation were prepared by controlling the ratio between the weight of fiber and chloroacetic acid.The absorption properties of chitosan fiber with different degree of carboxymethylation was measured when it gets in contact with the simulated exudates from the wound along with the amount absorbed between fibers as well as that absorbed into the fiber.The results showed that the carboxymethylated chitosan fibers can absorb a large amount of liquid into the fiber structure.Its nonwoven product has a very high absorption capacity.When the degree of carboxymethylation is below 50%,the carboxymethylated chitosan fibers can absorb a large amount of liquid whilst maintaining its fibrous structure at the same time.