Abstract
The tensile properties, acetic acid solubility and degree of swelling in distilled water of cellulose/chitosan and sericin/chitosan film blended by mixing chitosan acetic acid solution with cellulose solution or sericin solution were investigated and the effect of crosslinking agent on solubility and degree of swelling were also considered. From the experimental results, the model of intermolecular bond is proposed. Tensile modulus of 100% cellulose film is high but the tensile strength and elongation are low. The elongation of 100% chitosan film is high but tensile modulus and strength is low. But it is possible to make film having same or higher tensile strength and modulus compared to that of 100% cellulose film by mixing cellulose and chitosan or by mixing sericin and chitosan. Chitosan is solved in 5vol % acetic acid solution but cellulose and sericin are not solved. Degree of swelling of chitosan in distilled water is higher than that of cellulose and sericin. Lower than 40wt% chitosan content, the solubility of cellulose/chitosan film in 5vol % acetic acid solution shows lower expected value but higher in case of sericin/chitosan film.