Natural polymers as biotechnological or biomedical resources have been widely investigated because of their properties such as non-toxicity, degradability and biological compatibility [1]. Chitin is abundantly available in nature in shells of insects and crustaceans, among others organism. Venezuela is a potential source of Chitin and its derivates (more than 2,000 kilometers of coast line). In this project, the process of the degradation of the poly-blends based on Poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and Chitin (QA) was studied by using the process of degradation known as "Composting" (earth used for agriculture). The characterization was carried out studying the mass loss, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Blends of PCL/QA were prepared in compositions of 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40 by using a Rhoemix Internal Mixer at a chamber temperature of 160 °C, at 60 r.p.m. for 8 min. The degradation process was evaluated during a period of five and ten weeks.The SEM analysis allowed to observe that for the same period of degradation, the presence of QA accelerated the decomposition process of the matrix. (Fig. 1). As it had been expected, a higher degradation was observed at higher periods of time (Fig. 2). Likewise, the formation of the characteristic QA degradation fibres could be seen. The percentage of mass loss (Fig. 3) shows that with the increase of QA, the mass loss become greater and it is inferred that after the micro-organisms have attacked a high level of QA, they start using as a source of carbon the linear chain of the PCL poly-ester. The weight values obtained from the dissolution of the PCL in toluene from the degraded samples clearly show it. The thermal properties of the PCL in the blends (Fig. 4) show a reduction of the crystallization enthalpy of the PCL, so it can be infer that the presence of the dispersing phase interferes with the degree of crystallinity of each blend. Additionally, slight increase in the crystallization temperature (Tc) for blends with QA allows to think that QA could serve as an heterogeneous nucleus for the crystallization of the PCL. Yang et al [2] prepared melting blends for PCL/QA systems and determined that the crystallization of the poly-ester decreased for a higher proportion of QA. V.M. Correlo et al [3] have obtained similar results in PCL/QN blends which were prepared by extrusion..
Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.
Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.
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