Water vapor permeability and mechanical properties of biodegradable chitosan/methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocomposite films

Nanocomposite films of chitosan/methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer were prepared by film casting of a diblock copolymer nanoparticle suspension-chitosan solution. The results obtained from thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that intermolecular bonds existed between the chitosan and the diblock copolymer. Percent moisture uptake and water vapor permeability of the chitosan films were decreased by incorporating diblock copolymer nanoparticles and decreased with increasing diblock copolymer content. The studies on tensile properties have shown that incorporation of nanoparticles into the chitosan film enhanced the tensile strength of the films in both dry and hydrated states.