Abstract
A series of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/guar gum (CS/PVA/GG) blends were prepared. The synthesis was carried out using different combinations of CS and GG, while keeping PVA constant by casting solution method. The effect of formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent was also evaluated. The blends were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the swelling ratio along with antimicrobial activity was also studied. SEM exhibited the phenomenon that surface morphology was mostly affected by blend ratios and cross-linker. The XRD shows the crystalline structure of blends. The FTIR confirmed the strong intermolecular bonding between polymers. Swelling exhibits that cross-linking affects the hydrophilicity of blends and swelling was excellent for S4 blend. The prepared blends showed promising antimicrobial activity against P. multocida, S. aureus, E. coli, and B. subtilis bacterial agents. The data concludes that GG, CS and PVA ternary blends could possibly be used for the biomedical applications.
•A series of chitosan/PVA/guar gum hydrogel blends using formaldehyde as cross-linking agent were prepared.•Blends were synthesized using solution chemistry method.•Effect of GG and CS on morphology, structure and swelling pattern was studied.•Antimicrobial activity was also studied.•Hydrogels showed promising efficiency for biomedical applications.