A blend of chitosan and viscose rayon was investigated. A film was mad
e from regenerating the blend of chitosan and viscose rayon. The film
was characterized by various techniques, including Fourier transform i
nfrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), diffe
rential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA),
and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase behavior of the
blend is influenced by its composition with or without carboxymethyla
ted chitosan (CM-Cs). Characterization of the chitosan/viscose rayon (
Cs/VR) blend by DSC and DMA suggests partial compatibility of chitosan
with VR and lack of compatibility in the remaining cases. Results of
the TEM show that the addition of CM-Cs into the blend can improve the
compatibility of Cs with VR. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.