Molecular structure and dielectric properties studies of chitin and its treated by acid, base and hypochlorite

In this work, the chitin was treated by 0.1 N HCl, 0.5 N NaOH, and 8% sodium hypochlorite. The change of the molecular structure was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in the wavenumber range (400–4000 cm−1). The absorption bands were assigned and the crystallinity index was calculated from the ratio of the absorbance C–N band at 1378 cm−1 and CH at 2925 cm−1. The data indicated that, the crystallinity index of chitin is higher than that of treated chitin which is due to the hydrolysis of some acetamide group. Also, treating with alkali causes a swelling of chitin chains. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″) and AC electrical conductivity were measured and discussed as a function of frequencies (0.1 kHz–3 MHz). The dielectric constant (ε′) was decreased with increasing frequencies due to the dielectric dispersion. β-relaxation was observed and discussed from the dielectric loss (ε″). The results of AC conductivity showed that, at high frequency, the conductivity increased with increasing frequencies and its interpreted in term of hopping conduction.