Vapor induced phase inversion technique to prepare chitosan/microcrystalline cellulose composite films: synthesis, characterization and moisture absorption study

Chitosan/microcrystalline cellulose (Ch/MCC) composite films have been prepared by a using a novel technique, called “vapor induced phase inversion” (VIPI). In this technique a suspension of MCC in chitosan was prepared in aqueous medium and exposed to ammonia vapors. The suspension was immediatly turned into solid phase due to precipitation of chitosan. The films thus formed showed uniform distribution of MCC within the film matrix. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The swelling behavior of films was studied at various MCC contents. The equilibrium moisture absorption data were satisfactorily interpreted by the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer isotherm model. The film showed non-cytotoxicity and non-thrombogenity.