ABSTRACT
Chitosan (CS) based thin films fabricated by incorporated with plasticizer (glycerol) at different weight ratios were prepared. This was carried out by employing a solvent-casting method incorporating with Halloysite nanoclay (nanotube) and Silica nanoparticle (spherical) into the films. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) showed that nanoparticles were dispersed homogeneously throughout the polymer matrix in all of the chitosan-nanocomposite films; tensile test (UTM) showed that the mechanical strength of the films varies with the nanoparticle concentration. It was observed from the Thermal Gravimetry Analysis (TGA) results that there is no significant variation in the thermal degradation temperature of the films with the addition of the nanoparticles. The hydrophobicity increased with the addition of nanoparticles, as seen from the contact angle, moisture content and water solubility result.
