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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195266
Title: COMPATIBLE POLYMER BLENDS OF ZEIN AND POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE

Author
item Woods, Kristen
item Selling, Gordon

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2006
Publication Date: 9/18/2006
Citation: Woods, K.K., Selling, G.W. 2006. Compatible polymer blends of zein and polyvinylpyrrolidone [abstract]. American Chemical Society. Paper No. 54.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In an attempt to improve the tensile properties of zein articles, polymer blends of zein with various amounts of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were created and cast as thin films. Two different molecular weights of PVP were used (10kD and 55kD) at levels between 5 and 25% by zein weight. Zein blends with the high molecular weight PVP showed a 20-25% increase in tensile strength. Blends with the low molecular weight PVP showed no such improvements in tensile strength, and actually showed a decrease in tensile strength with increasing PVP. Zein-PVP blends appear compatible by light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis.