Characterization and optical studies of 90/10 (wt/wt%) PVA/β-chitin blend irradiated with γ-rays

X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and UV/visible spectra were studied as a function of gamma irradiation doses (5-100 kGy) for 90/10 (wt/wt%) PVA/beta-chitin. A new intense reflection peak at 2 theta = 21.5 degrees appeared in the X-ray spectrum of the sample irradiated at 50 kGy gamma-dose. Besides, the band centered at 2931 cm(-1) in IR spectrum splits into two clearly separated bands around 2919 and 2941 cm(-1) for the sample irradiated at 10 kGy gamma-dose. The disappearance of the absorption band at 280 nm of PVA in the blend sample indicates that the ligand PVA becomes opaque in the UV region and provides evidence for the miscibility between homopolymers. The value of absorbance, in UV/visible range, at 10 kGy gamma-dose was the highest one compared to the other gamma-doses. The location of the gamma-doses on the chromaticity diagram was different, indicating the change in the spectral colors of the investigated blend. In addition, the absorption edge, band tail and color parameters values were determined as a function of gamma-doses. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.