MODIFICATION OF PHYSICO CHEMICAL ON POLYVINYL ALCOHOL CHITOSAN COMPOSITE MEMBRANE FROM CASTING PROCESS BY GAMMA IRRADIATION TECHNIQUE

The aim of this research was to synthesize polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan composite membranes for Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) by casting process and study the effect of gamma irradiation on its physico-chemical properties. The mixture of 10 % polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 2 % chitosan solutions with different compositions of 75/25; 50/50; 25/75 (%,v/v) were casting at room temperature, then irradiated by gamma rays from Co-60 with the doses 20, 30, 40 and 50 kGy. The chemical changes of membranes were characterized using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR). Water absorption and biodegradation test were determined gravimetrically. Tensile strength and elongation at breaks were measured by using universal testing machine.It was found that with the increase irradiation dose from 10 kGy up to 50 kGy, the water absorption and degradation ofmembranes increase. In contrast, the tensile strength and elongation at breaks were decreased with increasing irradiation dose. Gamma irradiation can be considered as a tool for modification of polymers. Keywords: Polyvinyl alcohol, Chitosan, Gamma irradiation, Composite.