Prediction on the compatibility of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol blend based on Schneier mixing enthalpy

Abstract

A polymer blend system was established with chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The compatibility of CS/PVA blend was predicted via Schneier mixing enthalpy, and the effects of deacetylation on the blend compatibility were further investigated. In addition, CS/PVA blend membranes were prepared via solvent evaporation. Results showed that CS/PVA blends were completely compatible systems when the deacetylation was 50%-82.89%, while the blends turned into partially compatible ones when the deacetylation was more than 82.89%. Herein, CS was revealed to be partially miscible with PVA, and the blend became compatible as CS content was less than 32% or more than 76%. Moreover, the morphology evolution of the blend membranes verified that CS was miscible with PVA as the mass ratio reached 4:6. It was basically consistent with the prediction results derived from Schneier mixing enthalpy.