Physical Properties of Natural Blend Thin Film Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles

Abstract

Solution casting technique was used to prepare polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite thin films with a total weight of 1g. Chitosan (Cs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend was used as the natural matrix. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles were added to the blend with different weight percentages (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3%). The effects of adding nano-Al₂O₃ on the physical properties of the prepared films, such as the microstructure, UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and x-ray differential (XRD) patterns, were studied. The experimental results indicated that the transmittance of all films do not vary greatly. According to the FTIR results, the optimum interaction between both polymers and nano-Al₂O₃ was observed at concentrations of 1% polymer mixed with nano-Al₂O₃ at 2.5 and 3 wt.%. Ultimately, the structural and physical characteristics of the films may be greatly enhanced by chitosan in a PVA blend with a concentration of 3% nano-Al₂O₃.