STRUCTURE INVESTIGATION OF POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)-COLLAGEN COMPOSITE

Naturally derived collagen protein was mixed thoroughly with medical g rade poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) at the ratio of 90:10 (w/w) and was cr osslinked by formaldehyde to form a homogeneous composite membrane. Th e bulk structure of the membrane was characterized by means of X-ray d iffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The membr ane surface structure was investigated using Fourier transform-infrare d spectroscopy (attenuated total refraction) (FTIR-ATR), electron spec troscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and contact angle measurement. I t was found that collagen and PVA can remain stable. This was supporte d by the fact that no sign of phase separation had been observed. The use of crosslinking agent can substantially influence the structure of the composite. It is suggested that this new composite deserves furth er investigation and is potentially usable as a biomedical material.