• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.580-587
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• 2014

Composite films of zinc calcium alginate were prepared by a film maker from 7 wt% sodium alginate solution and then they solidified into 3, 5 wt% content $ZnCl_2$, $CaCl_2$ solution followed by washing and drying at room temperature. The characteristics were measured with several methods (antimicrobial activity, water solubility, swelling ratio and viscosity, SEM, EDS) and the film properties were investigated. Composite films of zinc calcium alginate showed an increase in the water resistance by increasing $ZnCl_2$ and $CaCl_2$ content and the antimicrobial test showed that the calcium alginate as well as zinc alginate films result in excellent antimicrobial activity in the two strains, Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli. The results show the possible improvement of the physical properties of composite films.