ABSTRACT
The properties of gelatin–polyvinyl alcohol (G–PVA) blend films were improved by methyl methacrylate (MMA) and γ irradiation for a practical viewpoint. The films were prepared by the casting method, modified by glycerol and MMA monomer, and their mechanical properties were also studied. The gelatin-based films were successfully prepared using γ irradiation (3.1 kGy) and gelatin: PVA = 97:3 (w/w) as optimized. Tensile properties of the films were studied and thermal properties of the films were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis pointed out that MMA treated both gelatin films, and G–PVA blend films showed less thermal degradation than untreated films. In addition, structural and morphological features of the gelatin-based films were examined by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The ultimate results of the present study showed remarkable enhancement in tensile properties (> 40%) and a reduction in elongation at break of the films, thanks to the MMA addition and γ irradiation.