Study on the thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) in the presence of collagen

Crystallization of poly(vinyl alkohol) (PVA) in the presence of 1%, 3% and 5% of collagen has been studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). PVA samples containing 1%, 3% and 5% of collagen after melting were crystallized with different cooling rate. The melting temperature of poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA in the presence of 1%, 3% and 5% of collagen is little big bigger than that for pure PVA. Small amount of collagen in PVA increases melting temperature probably due to hydrogen bonding between PVA and collagen. Collagen contains several side groups capable to form hydrogen bonds with OH group of PVA. The amount of crystallinity in PVA containing 1%, 3% and 5% of collagen is little big smaller than for pure PVA. Small amount of collagen in PVA causes disorder between polymer chains of polymer and leads to decrease of crystallinity. Crystallization process occurs slower in PVA containing small amount of collagen than for pure melt PVA