Analysis of Chitosan Polymer Doped with Nano Al 2 O 3 and Nano CuO

Abstract Chitin is a naturally abundant mucopolysaccharide which by the process of N-deacetylation gives the polymer Chitosan. High percentage of nitrogen compared to synthetically substituted cellulose gives an added commercial edge for the polymer. Chitosan is very relevant in terms of wide availability and reduced cost of the raw material. Enhanced properties of chitosan can be exploited for wider applications strengthening its existing vital role in medical and waste water treatment. Objective of the investigation carried out in this work is to study the effect of nano-copper oxide (CuO) and nano-aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) particles on the mechanical properties of chitosan. Chitosan nano films have been fabricated by solution casting process using acetic acid as a solvent. Each film was tested for its Tensile Strength, Young's modulus, Stiffness and Elongation at Fracture. It is observed that, the polymer when doped with Al 2 O 3 , CuO nano particles show favourable properties only upto a certain composition limit