Yongshang Lu

BLEND FILMS FROM SODIUM ALGINATE AND GELATIN SOLUTIONS

Blend films were prepared by blending 4 wt% sodium alginate and 5 wt% gelatin aqueous solutions and dried at room temperature for 2 days to obtain the transparent films. Their structures and properties were studied by infrared (IR) spectra, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Significant changes in the shape and intensity of IR spectra absorption frequencies characteristic of either gelatin or sodium alginate were detected by IR analysis. The crystallinities of the blend films decreased with the increase of sodium alginate content. The thermal stability, mechanical properties of tensile strength, and breaking elongation of the blend films were improved by blending sodium alginate with gelatin. It is worth noting that the breaking elongation reached 16.6% when the weight ratio of sodium alginate to gelatin was 1:1, much higher than that of two components. The structure analysis indicated that there is strong interaction between sodium alginate and gelatin molecules resulted from intermolecular hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions. The water absorbability of the blend films was improved due to the introduction of sodium alginate.

Characterization of konjac glucomannan-gelatin blend films

Novel blend films of konjac glucomannan (KGM) with gelatin were prepared by using the solvent-casting technique. Transparent blend films were obtained in all blending ratios of the two polymers. The structure and physical properties of the films were investigated by Fourier transform IR, wide angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and strength tests. The results indicated that intermolecular interactions between the KGM and gelatin occurred that were caused by hydrogen bonding and the physical properties of the films largely depended on the blending ratio. The crystallinities of the blend films decreased with the increase of the KGM. The thermal stability and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of the films were improved by blending KGM with gelatin. It is worth noting that the blend films had a good tensile strength of 38 MPa when the KGM content in the blend films was around 30 wt %. The surface morphology of the blend films observed by SEM displayed a certain level of miscibility. Furthermore, the water absorbability of the blend films was also measured and discussed.

PREPARATION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BLEND FILMS FROM SODIUM ALGINATE AND POLYACRYLAMIDE SOLUTIONS

Blend films of sodium alginate and polyacrylamide (PAAm) were prepared by mixing the aqueous solution of both samples at a different ratio. All blend films obtained are optically clear to the naked eye. The structure and physical properties of the films were studied by FT-infrared (FT-IR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile strength test. The results showed that the occurrence of interactions between -COO−, -OH groups of sodium alginate and -CONH2 groups of PAAm in the blends through hydrogen formation. The blend films exhibited the higher thermal stability and improved mechanical properties in dry states. These properties had the maximum value around 20 wt% PAAm content in the blend film. The morphological transition of the blend films from sodium alginate-like to PAAm-like was observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Preparation and characterization of konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose blend films

The novel blend films of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) were prepared by casting the mixed polymer aqueous solutions. The physical properties of the blend films from konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were investigated by using FT-infrared (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and measurements of mechanical properties. The experimental results showed that the occurrence of the interactions between KGM and NaCMC molecular chains through hydrogen bond formation, and the physical properties of the films largely depend on the blending ratio. The thermal stability, mechanical properties of both tensile strength, and elongation at break of the blend films were improved by blending KGM with NaCMC. The surface morphology of the films observed by SEM was consistent with the results mentioned above.

BLEND FILMS FROM CHITOSAN AND POLYACRYLAMIDE SOLUTIONS

In this article, blend films were prepared by blending 2 wt% chitosan acetate solution with 2 wt% polyacrylamide (PAAm) aqueous solution. The structure and physical properties of the resulting blend films were analysized by FT-infrared spectra (FT-IR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and by tensile tester. The results showed the occurrence of intermolecular interactions between chitosan and polyacrylamide through hydrogen bond formation. The thermal stability, and mechanical properties were improved by blending chitosan with polyacrylamide. It was worth noting that the blend film exhibited the greatest tensile strength 68 MPa and highest thermal stability when the polyacrylamide content in the blends was around 20 wt%. The results from SEM were consistent with the results above. Meanwhile, the water absorbability of the blend films was also discussed.