Modification of Gelatin Films Using Trimethylolpropane Trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) by Photo-Curing

Abstract

Thin gelatin films were prepared via casting at 70°C. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb%) of the gelatin films were found to be 20 MPa and 8.7% respectively. To improve the mechanical and thermal properties, gelatin films were cured with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) using UV radiation. Monomer concentration, soaking time of gelatin films in the monomer solution and UV radiation intensity were optimized on the basis of mechanical properties of the cured films. The highest TS was found to be 28.8 MPa for 3% monomer solution at 10th pass of UV for 5 min soaking time. Thermal properties, water uptake and water aging properties of the gelatin films were also studied.