Carbonaceous hydrogels based on hydrothermal carbonization of glucose with chitin nanofibers

Carbonaceous hydrogels can be generated with good mechanical strength by hydrothermal carbonization of glucose dissolved in a dilute (0.08%, w/v) chitin nanofiber viscose. Carbonaceous nanoparticles were observed along the surface of the nano-fibrous structure of the hydrogels. The carbonaceous materials also cross-link the entangled nanofibers and lead to durable 3D hydrogel formation. Hydrothermal carbonization of 0.2 M glucose with chitin nanofibers at 180 °C for 4 h resulted in a carbonaceous hydrogel with optimal strength and 99.3% water content.