Thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy of acetic anhydride plasma treated chitosan films
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of acetic anhydride plasma treatment of chitosan films. Chitosan films were prepared by solvent casting method and then exposed to acetic anhydride plasma for 1, 3, and 5 mins. ATR-FTIR revealed that –-NH2 groups were oxidized to -C≡N. Non-hydrogen bonded –OH groups appeared as hydrogen bonding with water was diminished. Entrapment of the CO2 gas was not observed. Reacetylation was unsuccessful as no C=O group was introduced. DSC studies suggested that the thermal stability of the acetic anhydride plasma treated films were found to be higher than unmodified films.