Preparation and characterization of interpolymer complexes of sodium alginate with poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (n-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), poly (ethylene oxide)

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF INTERPOLYMER COMPLEXES OF SODIUM ALGINATE WITH POLYVINYL ALCOHOL), POLY(N-VINYL-2-PYRROLIDONE), POLYETHYLENE OXIDE) (M.Sc. Thesis) Serkan DEMİRCİ GAZI UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAY 2005 ABSTRACT In this study, preparation and characterization of interpolymer complexes of sodium alginate with polyvinyl alcohol), poly(N-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone), poly(ethylene oxide) were investigated. These interpolymer complexes were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), tensile strength test, contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). FT-IR studies indicated that there was the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The thermal stability of the interpolymer complexes was slightly affected with increasing NaAlg content. Mechanical properties of the interpolymer complexes were improved compared to those of homopolymers. Surface free energy components of these interpolymer complexes were calculated from contact angle data of various liquids by using Van Oss-Good methodology. It was determined that both the electron donor component of the surface free energy and total surface free energy of the complexes decreased with the increasing NaAlg content. The surface morphology of these interpolymer complexes was investigated by AFM.