Enhanced Performance of Chitosan Film Containing Vinyl Imidazole- Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymers

Abdel-Monem, Reham; Taha, Samira; El-Sayed, Ahmed A.; Abdelhamid, Ahmed E.

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2023.247947.8851

Enhanced Performance of Chitosan Film Containing Vinyl Imidazole- Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Photochemistry Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt

² Polymers & Pigments Department, National Research Centre, EL Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.

10.21608/ejchem.2023.247947.8851

Abstract

Synthesis of vinyl imidazole (VI) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymers in different molar ratios with high yield were synthesized using free radical polymerization. The obtained copolymers were incorporated into chitosan to prepare blend films with enhanced performance. Characterization of the produced films via ATR-FTIR, SEM and TGA in addition to the mechanical performance, swelling behavior and vapor water permeability were investigated. Incorporation of the copolymer in chitosan films decreased the hydrophilicity and water vapor permeability. The blend films showed enhanced thermal stability and elongation at break with slightly decline in tensile strength. The antibacterial performance of the blend films was evaluated using gram positive and gram negative bacteria inhibition zone test that showed enhanced activity of blend film containing high molar ratio of VI. The results revealed that the obtained blend films can be used in different biological application as in food packaging system.

Keywords