Physicochemical characterization of chitosan/nylon6/polyurethane foam chemically cross-linked ternary blends

Chitosan/nylon6/polyurethane foam (CS/Ny6/PUF) ternary blend was prepared and chemically cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Structural, thermal and morphological studies were performed for the prepared ternary blends. Characterizations of the ternary blends were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The FTIR results showed that the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds took place between CS, Ny6 and PUF. TGA and DSC studies reveal that the thermal stability of the blend is enhanced by glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. Results of XRD indicated that the relative crystalline of pure CS film was reduced when the polymeric network was reticulated by glutaraldehyde. Finally, the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the morphology of the blend is rough and heterogeneous, further it confirms the interaction between the functional groups of the blend components.

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► Ternary blends were prepared by using chitosan, nylon6 and polyurethane foam.
► FT-IR and XRD studies reveal the hydrogen bonding interactions between counterpart polymers.
► TGA and DSC analysis of the blends showed an enhanced thermal stability.
► Surface morphology of the blends has been studied by SEM indicates heterogeneous surface morphology.