Water Vapour Permeability of Poly(lactic acid)/Chitosan Binary and Ternary Blends

Abstract

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) containing chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) was prepared using melt mixing followed by compression molding. Effects of chitosan and PVOH on the water vapour permeability of the PLA were evaluated. The water vapour permeability (WVP) and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of PLA/chitosan blends are higher than the pure PLA, which attributed to the hydrophilicity of chitosan. Incorporation of PVOH improved compatibility and interfacial bonding of PLA/chitosan blends. It was found that the WVP and WVTR of the PLA/chitosan/PVOH ternary blends are lower than that of the PLA/chitosan binary blends.