Morphology and Physicochemical Performance of Water-soluble Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Polyurethane Blend Film

Summary: A series of water-soluble carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/polyurethane (PU) blend films with various CMCS/PU mole ratios were prepared by casting the polymer blend solution in the mixed solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water. Surface morphologies of CMCS/PU blend films were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of CMCS/PU blend films were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tests, and contact angle tests. It was revealed that the introduction of PU could greatly affect the surface morphology and the performance of CMCS film.