Journal of Polymers and the Environment | 2021
Synthesis and Evaluation of Mechanical Property of Chitosan/PVP Blend Through Nanoindentation-A Nanoscale Study
Abstract
Biocompatible chitosan/PVP blends of different weight ratios were prepared by the solution casting method. The blends were characterized for morphology, structural, functional group, and thermal analysis. SEM images revealed the homogeneous mixing of both polymers at a certain weight ratio. XRD results show that the crystallinity of the blend decreases with an increase in PVP concentration. The blends were also characterized for the evaluation of physical properties like contact angle and water vapor transmission rate. A nanoindentation test was performed to characterize the mechanical strength, elastic modulus as well as hardness of these films. The water vapor transmission rate and hydrophilicity of the blend significantly decrease with an increase in the concentration of PVP. The blend with CH/PVP (75:25) showed the most satisfactory mechanical strength as compared to all tested ratios. Furthermore, these blends had good transparency and thermal stability that can be the alternative of petroleum-based synthetic products.