Investigation of PVA/CS/POSS hydrogel film nanocomposite crosslinking by gamma radiation

In the present work the effect of various Octa(3-chloroammoniumpropyl) silsesquioxane (POSS) loadings on the radiation crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol) /chitosan/ (PVA/CS) films is studied. PVA/CS/ POSS nanocomposites are prepared by solution casting method with various POSS loadings (1, 3, 5 wt.%). Films are crosslinked by gamma radiation at divers radiation doses (20, 30, 40 kGy). Hybrid materials are characterized in terms of their morphology, gel fraction and swelling behavior. From the results of the XRD the POSS could be dispersed well in the PVA/CS matrix. Based on the results of the gel fraction, the crosslinking degree of the PVA/CS/ POSS nanocomposites depends on the POSS content and dose of radiation. The highest gel fraction (76%) was is found at radiation dose of 40 kGy for PVA/CS blend. The films’ water absorption increases by enhancing the content of added POSS and reduces with increasing radiation dose. PVC/CS film with 5 wt. % POSS radiated at 20kGy has the highest swelling ratio (670%).