title: Comparison of chitosan/starch composite film properties before and after cross-linking.
abstract: Unmodified and cross-linked chitosan/starch composite films were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. The properties of the films were studied to obtain useful information about the possible applications of composite films. FT-IR, SEM, and swelling property investigations show that the cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde reacts in the chitosan and starch blend. The compatibility of chitosan and starch blends before and after cross-linking was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. The compatibility of the blends deteriorated after cross-linking. This finding was confirmed by the results of mechanical properties. The films show improved water barrier performance after cross-linking. The use of trace concentrations of glutaraldehyde in chitosan/starch films allows for possible application in the biomedical field.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Huaihai Institute of Technology, Lianyungang 222005, Jiangsu Province, China. lhh111@sina.com
authors.forename: Haihong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaochen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhiwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005976:Glutaral / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014867:Water; D013213:Starch; D048271:Chitosan; D005976:Glutaral