Chapter 10 - Chitin and chitosan-based aerogels

Abstract

In this chapter, we will review the important and particular properties of chitin and chitosan, and will focus on the preparation techniques of chitin and chitosan-based aerogels. Drying method plays an important role in obtaining an open framework of aerogel from its gel nature and the important drying techniques are described in detail. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the different morphologies of surfaces obtained from SEM and TEM analysis of aerogels. Thermal, mechanical, and porosity properties of different chitin and chitosan-based aerogels are discussed in depth. We also highlight the applications of prepared aerogels with the properties of chitin and chitosan-based materials.