Polymeric degradation of water soluble chitosan/HPMC films using WAXS data

AbstractFilms of cationic chitosan and non-ionic hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) have been prepared by solvent casting method, using glycerol as a plasticiser, from aqueous lactic acid medium. Here, an attempt is made to compare the degradation effect of neutral HPMC and chitosan on water uptake and flexibility in terms of microstructural parameters obtained from X-ray line profile analysis. The intension of this study is to investigate properties for the potential use of chitosan/HPMC films to improve flexibility for packaging, solubility of drug, drug release and biodegradability. Fractured surfaces of the films were examined through wide angle X-ray diffraction and the intensity profiles were used to determine the microstructural parameters. Chitosan and HPMC films have more water retentiveness property compared to other blends studied here