Characterisation of alpha-chitin/poly(acrylic acid) blend films

Chitin whiskers reinforced Poly(acrylicacid) films were prepared by casting. Films were characterised for mechanical and thermal properties. Raman and XRD spectrum and SEM morphology were examined. The tensile strength increased as chitin increases up to 11.39% and gradually decreases. The % strain gradually reduces as whiskers increases. Thermal stability of films improved from those of the pure PAA as the Tg increases at higher whiskers content. The strongest interaction between the carboxylic (CO) group of PAA and the amide (NH3+) of chitin at the amorphous phase occurs at 3.23% whiskers. The particle size of chitin was reduced as revealed by XRD.