Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymer Blends Based on Chitosan.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Chitosan (CS) is affordable and biodegradable but lacks mechanical strength and barrier properties.
• Itaconic acid (IT) can act as a compatibilizer in polymer blends.
• Starch (S) is a widely available biodegradable polymer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize biodegradable polymer films using chitosan, itaconic acid, and starch.
• To investigate the effects of itaconic acid grafting and starch blending on the properties of chitosan films.
• To evaluate the influence of carbon black addition on the physicomechanical properties of the developed polymer blends.

Main Methods:

• Two polymerization methods were used: grafting itaconic acid onto chitosan and blending the resulting copolymer with starch.
• Films were characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, and mechanical property analysis.
• Physicomechanical properties including viscosity, tensile strength, elongation, and contact angle were evaluated for blends with and without carbon black.

Main Results:

• Incorporating itaconic acid, starch, and carbon black collectively enhanced film mechanical performance, physical traits, and biodegradability.
• The blended copolymer with 1% starch exhibited the highest mechanical properties.
• The blended copolymer with 5% starch showed the highest hydrophilicity and shortest degradation time.

Conclusions:

• Itaconic acid and starch are effective in improving chitosan-based biodegradable films.
• Optimized formulations can balance mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, and degradation rate.
• Further research into carbon black-modified blends could yield advanced material properties.