Biodegradable bioartificial materials made with chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol). Part I: Physicochemical...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Polymers are crucial in therapeutics, offering structural and functional roles in disease management.
• Biodegradable polymers are essential for localized drug delivery systems.
• Chitosan (CHI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are promising candidates for biomaterial development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize biodegradable CHI/PVA films for potential use as localized drug carriers.
• To investigate the effect of glutaraldehyde (GTA) cross-linking and sorbitol (SOR) plasticizer on the physicochemical properties of CHI/PVA blends.
• To evaluate the suitability of these materials for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of CHI/PVA blends manufactured as films.
• Cross-linking of films with glutaraldehyde (GTA), with and without sorbitol (SOR).
• Characterization using FTIR, DSC, TGA, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and tensile testing.

Main Results:

• FTIR and X-ray diffraction confirmed CHI reduces PVA crystallinity; GTA cross-linking forms inter-chain bridges without altering polymer interactions.
• DSC indicated reduced PVA crystallinity in blends, supported by TGA showing chemical interactions.
• Sorbitol addition improved film characteristics, reducing brittleness as evidenced by SEM and mechanical tests.

Conclusions:

• CHI/PVA blends exhibit strong intermolecular interactions, forming stable biodegradable films.
• The addition of sorbitol enhances the mechanical properties of the cross-linked films, making them less brittle.
• These developed CHI/PVA/SOR films show potential as effective localized drug delivery systems.