Unraveling Water’s Hidden Influence on Chitin Nanocrystals

AFM analysis of chitin nanocrystals and water interface

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) of Kanazawa University have provided a groundbreaking glimpse into how water molecules interact with chitin nanocrystals—one of nature’s most abundant and structurally versatile biopolymers. Using three-dimensional atomic force microscopy (3D-AFM) combined with molecular dynamics simulations, the team revealed in atomic detail how hydration layers shape the structure, reactivity, and mechanical properties of two distinct crystalline forms of chitin, known as α-chitin and β-chitin.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, not only advances our understanding of chitin-water interactions but also paves the way for the design of next-generation bio-based nanomaterials, hydrogels, and bioprotonic devices — systems that harness proton transport instead of electrons for signal transmission.

From Shells to Science: The Unique Architecture of Chitin

Chitin, a naturally occurring structural polysaccharide, forms the exoskeletons of insects, crustaceans, and certain fungi. It is often compared to cellulose but stands out due to its acetylated amino group, which provides unique hydrogen-bonding characteristics. Chitin exists mainly in two crystalline configurations:

  • α-chitin — characterized by antiparallel molecular alignment, making it highly stable and tightly packed.
  • β-chitin — features parallel alignment, resulting in a more open, flexible structure that readily interacts with water molecules.

These subtle structural differences dramatically affect how water organizes itself near the crystal surface, which in turn governs reactivity, enzymatic degradation, and ion diffusion. Until now, these hydration mechanisms were poorly understood due to the difficulty of imaging atomic-scale water organization.

Visualizing Water at the Atomic Level

Using 3D-AFM, the Kanazawa team, led by Ayhan Yurtsever and Takeshi Fukuma, visualized how water molecules arrange themselves around β-chitin nanocrystals with nanometer resolution. Their results revealed long-range molecular order, with hydration layers forming a repeating “brickwork” or “corncob” pattern—evidence of structured water extending deep into the material’s surface.

The researchers also investigated the hydration behavior at different pH levels (3–5), finding that β-chitin maintains its crystalline integrity even in acidic environments. By contrast, α-chitin’s larger molecular grooves allow water to accumulate more freely, forming a hydration barrier that limits molecular access. This explains why some enzymes selectively act on one crystalline form but not the other.

Water’s Role in Reactivity and Enzyme Interactions

Through both experimental imaging and molecular simulations led by collaborators from Aalto University in Finland and the University of Tokyo, the study linked nanoscale water organization to macroscopic material behavior. The team demonstrated that β-chitin’s structured hydration network lowers the energetic penalty for molecular interactions—facilitating faster enzymatic hydrolysis and potentially improving performance in bio-based catalytic and sensing systems.

This insight is vital for the design of chitin-derived materials used in biomedicine (e.g., tissue scaffolds, wound dressings), energy applications (e.g., proton conductors, ion membranes), and environmental engineering (e.g., pollutant adsorption and biocompatible filters).

From Hydration Physics to Sustainable Nanomaterials

The research team’s conclusion emphasizes a transformative idea: by understanding how water behaves at the nanoscale, scientists can rationally design sustainable, tunable bio-nanomaterials with optimized performance. The findings also enrich computational models of chitin surface interactions, contributing to the broader field of crystallosolvate formation — a process relevant to both natural biomineralization and synthetic material synthesis.

According to the authors, “This work links nanoscale interfacial structure to rational design strategies, advancing the effective development of sustainable, bio-based nanomaterials for energy and biomedical applications.”

Original article: https://phys.org/news/2025-11-unraveling-effect-chitin-nanocrystals.html
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c08484

This article on Quantum Server Networks was prepared with the assistance of advanced AI technologies to enhance clarity, structure, and SEO optimization for readers in materials science and nanotechnology.

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