ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Preparation and properties of gelatin films incorporated with N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated end-bit binary acid

Chen Zhuang, Fu-Rong Tao, and Yue-Zhi Cui

^aShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan 250353, China

E-mail: taofurong17329@126.com

Abstract: A series of novel cross-linkers, N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-activated end-bit binary acid (NHS- C₄, C₅, C₆, C₈, C₁₀, C₁₄), were synthesised to modify gelatin films and the crosslinking effects were compared. Homogeneous films with the exception of the film crosslinked by NHS-C₁₄ were observed and the thickness was measured using a scanning electron microscope. The section feature influenced by different film-treatment conditions was also recorded. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicated higher thermal stability. The water contact angles confirmed enhanced hydrophobicity. NHS-C₆, which was used as a probe crosslinker, exhibited the best crosslinking effect that the content of the free -NH₂ achieved was the lowest out of all the crosslinkers. The biodegradation results of gelatin films modified by NHS-C₆ exhibited better degradation-resistance and excellent stability. In addition, the optimal experimental conditions were 45°C for 12 h when [NHS-C₆]/[-NH2] = 2.5.

Keywords: gelatin – crosslinking – NHS-Cn – hydrophobicity – homogeneity film

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1515/chempap-2015-0226

Chemical Papers 70 (4) 505–514 (2016)