Preparation and characterization of the blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) and N-(2-hydroxy)propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride

Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and N-(2-hydroxy)propyl-3-trimethylanunonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), a water soluble chitosan derivative synthesized by the reaction of quaternary ammonium compound with chitosan, were blended using water as a solvent and the PVAMTCC blend films with various compositions were prepared by solution casting method. The miscibility between the two polymers and the thermal properties of the blend films were investigated using FT-IR, DSC, DMA, and TGA. Single glass transition temperatures and single melting temperatures of the blend films along with the strong and clear film state for the whole composition of blending ratios suggest the miscibility between PVA and HTCC. The PVA/HTCC blend films with HTCC content of 1% and greater showed excellent antimicrobial activity.