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Phase separation structure in poly(vinyl alcohol)/silk fibroin blend films
Author(s) -
Tanaka Toshihisa,
Tanigami Tetsuya,
Yamaura Kazuo
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0126(199802)45:2<175::aid-pi883>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - fibroin , vinyl alcohol , materials science , polymer science , silk , composite material , polymer blend , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , copolymer , polymer , engineering
Blend films of a commercial poly(vinyl alcohol) (a‐PVA) derived from vinyl acetate and silk fibroin (SF) obtained from degummed silk were prepared by mixing the aqueous solutions of both samples. A plain weave structure was recognized only in the blend films, whereas no structure was found for the superimposed films of both samples. The phase separation structure of the blend films was examined by microscopic observations elongation, tensile tests, and IR measurements. The microphase separation region increased with increase in the degree of polymerization of the PVA. In the IR spectra of the blend films with high PVA contents cast under certain conditions, the absorption peak attributed to the cross‐β‐form conformation of SF appeared strongly. Gelatin, a water‐soluble and natural polymer, was also used for comparison with SF. The ternary phase diagram in an a‐PVA/gelatin/H 2 O system was obtained experimentally and the critical point was used to estimate the interaction parameter between PVA and gelatin molecules. The phase separation structure and the interaction between PVA and SF molecules were also discussed taking into consideration the results of the a‐PVA/gelatin system. © 1998 SCI.