pH influence on rheological and structural properties of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/layered double hydroxide composites

New composite materials based on biocompatible polymers type chitosan (CS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrotalcite-like anionic clays (MgAlLDH) have been prepared and their rheological and structural properties have been investigated. The viscoelastic properties of CS/PVA/MgAlLDH hybrids were studied at 37 degrees C in different conditions of pH. The formation of the physical crosslinking networks of CS/PVA mixture in the presence of LDH anionic clay was evidenced for neutral and weakly basic media. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to get information about the structural characteristics of CS/PVA/MgAILDH nanocomposites. The obtained results have shown that the micromorphology of the polymer/LDH hybrids is also influenced by the environmental conditions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.