Study on the Blending Solution Behavior and Membrane Properties of Sodium Alginate and Chitosan

The rheological behavior of chitosan, sodium alginate and their blends at several composition (2/8, 4/6, 5/5, 6/4, 8/2 ) has been studied. The chitosan-alginate complex films have been prepared here by blending. Intermolecular interactions in chitosan-alginate complex films have been examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), viscometry, mechanical measurements. It was found that the -OH , the -NH2 groups, and the amide I , II and III characteristic absorption bands in FT-IR spectra of chitosan and algiante blends were shifted. The films exhibit different mechanical properties depending upon the ratio between two polysaccharides which take opposite charges. The mechanical measurements of films and some physical property results showed that intermolecular interactions varied with different chitosan content. Blending of chitosan and alginate may give the possibility of producing new materials for potential biomedical applications.