Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin blend hydrogel films for biomedical applications

In the present investigation, attempt was made to prepare blend hydrogel by esterification of polyvinyl alcohol with gelatin. The blend hydrogel was further converted into films by the conventional solution-casting method. These films were characterized by FTIR, DSC, and X-ray diffraction studies. The refractive index and viscosity of different composition of the blends were measured in the solution phase of the material. The mechanical properties of the blend films were measured by tensile test. Swelling behavior of the blend hydrogel was also studied. The FTIR spectrum of the blend film indicated complete esterification of the free carboxylic group of gelatin. The DSC results indicate that the addition of gelatin with PVA changes the thermal behavior like melting temperature of PVA, which may be due to the miscibility of PVA with gelatin. The interaction of gelatin with PVA molecule changes the crystallite parameters and the degree of crystallinity. The crystallinity of the blend film was mainly due to gelatin. The comparison of viscosity indicated an increase in the segment density within the molecular coil. The results revealed the changes observed in the properties of the gel, and it enhances the gel formation at viscoelastic phase of the material. The blend film had sufficient strength and water-holding capacity. The results obtained indicated that the blend film could be used for various biomedical applications such as wound dressing and drug-delivery systems. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.