Improvements of the physical properties of fibroin membranes with sodium alginate

Abstract

Abstract The effects of sodium alginate on the physical properties of fibroin membranes, such as rupture elongation, rupture strength, water absorption, and thermal properties, were investigated. The experimental results showed the β‐form crystal and β‐form molecular conformation increased due to the increase of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, such as CO‐‐‐HN and CO‐‐‐HO. The kind of intermolecular interaction and β‐form molecular conformation of polymer blends were clarified by 13 C–NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The increase in β‐form crystal was examined by X‐ray analysis. Further, membranes were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and by determining their water contents and tensile properties.