Effect of glycerin on structure transition of PVA/SF blends

Abstract

Abstract Blend films of silk fibrion (SF) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), with glycerin as an additive, were made, and the structure and properties of the blends were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and with an Instron Material Tester. The results showed that SF and PVA are principally incompatible and the blends made by the two polymers were phase‐separated. The results, however, also demonstrated that the blend structure could be changed to some extent by addition of 3–8% glycerin. The boundary of the PVA and SF phases became indistinct, as reported by SEM, a new peak appeared in the WAXD curves, the width of the OH absorption peak in the FT‐IR spectra increased, and the melting points changed in the DSC curves. In particular, the mechanical properties obviously increased, from 350 kg/cm 2 and 10% of PVA/SF (80/20) film to 832 kg/cm 2 and 39% of PVA/SF (80/20) film because of the increase in glycerin. It was suggested that glycerin plays a role in building the relationship between PVA and SF, strengthening the interaction between them and improving their compatibility. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2342–2347, 2002