SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYVINYL ALCOHOL/ GELATIN POLYMER BLEND FILM BASED ON GAMMA RADIATION

In this study, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/ gelatin polymer blend were synthesized and mixed with citric acid as a plasticizer then exposed to two different doses of gamma irradiation. The optical and morphological properties, have been investigated by using the Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible absorption and swelling degree measurements. The IR spectrum shows a strong chemical interaction between PVA and gelatin molecules with the formation of new peaks in the range 1227-1364 cm-1 . SEM and the UV–visible absorption measurements support the idea of improved miscibility after exposing the PVA/ gelatin blend to gamma irradiation. Swelling degree results of the blend indicated sufficient water holding capacity. Key words: PVA/Gelatin blends, Gamma irradiation, Films, Characterization.