Synthesis, structure and characterization of konjac glucomannan based degradable interpenetrating polymer networks films

A novel interpenetrating polymer networks(IPN) coded as KP were synthesized successfully from Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and konjac glucomannan(KGM) in the presence of glutaraldehyde as a crosslink agent. The transparent IPN films that were 40 μm thick were prepared by means of onventional solvent-casting technique and dried at room temperature for 2 d. The structure and miscibility of the KP IPN films were studied by Fourier transformed infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction(WAXD) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The results indicated that strong intermolecular interaction caused by crosslink bonding between PVA and KGM existed in the IPN films, resulting in wonderful miscibility when the reaction time is 4 h. The tensile strength, elongation at break were much higher than that of the pure PVA film, KGM film and uncrosslinked blend films, and the moisture absorption decreased evidently. In other words, the structure of IPN endowed the films with excellent performance.