Effect of plasticizer and surfactant on the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan films

The objective of this study was to develop eco-friendly films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (CTS) with the addition of plasticizer (glycerol or sorbitol) and surfactant (cocamidopropyl betaine). The properties of the obtained polymeric films were determined by contact angle measurements, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), mechanical tests, and moisture content analysis. The results indicated that four-component blends had high surface hydrophilicity and surface roughness due to the presence of the surfactant. Glycerol incorporation into PVA/CTS blends resulted in higher flexibility and greater water absorption capacity of the three- and four-component polymeric blends compared with these blends with sorbitol. By contrast, the addition of the surfactant to the materials is essential for their application in personal hygiene products as disposable wipes.