Poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan blend cross-linked with bis phenol-F-diglycidyl ether: mechanical, thermal and water absorption investigation

In this investigation, blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan cross-linked with bis phenol-F-diglycidyl ether were prepared by solution casting method. Epoxy acted as a cross-linker and content was varied from 3.80 × 10−3 to 3.80 × 10−2 mol. Morphology of the blend was examined using scanning electron microscopy which showed homogenous morphology suggesting good miscibility between blend components. FTIR showed significant shifting of peak at 1063 cm−1 to higher frequency implying that intermolecular interaction disturbed crystallization of chitosan in blend. Thermal and mechanical properties were also analyzed by thermo-gravimetric analysis and universal mechanical tester, respectively. Thermal stability of PVA/Ch blends was increased in the presence of epoxy cross-linker. Investigation on mechanical properties of blended films showed that the blending improved the tensile strength (68 MPa), percentage elongation at break (31 MPa), and toughness (13 MPa) while a decrease in Young's modulus (299 MPa) ...