Effect of chemical cross-linking on gelatin membrane solubility with a non-toxic and non-volatile agent: Terephthalaldehyde

In this paper, terephthalaldehyde (TPA) is proposed as non-toxic and non-volatile gelatin cross-linker. Optimal cross-linking parameters (TPA/gelatin ratio, temperature) were first determined from in situ rheological measurements on gelatin solutions and from chemical tests with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS assays) on gelatin gel. The highest cross-linking ratio was achieved for a concentration of 0.005 g TPA/g gelatin at 60 °C. The impact of TPA cross-linking on gelatin membrane functional properties (water swelling ratio, water vapor sorption and mechanical properties) was measured. TPA cross-linking increased 17 times the liquid water resistance duration of gelatin films, and delayed the entry of vapor water in the polymer matrix for 7 days, indicating that TPA increased the hydrophobic character of the gelatin matrix.