Morphology and properties of hydrophobic polypeptide-based film improved by hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)

Poly(gamma-benzyl l-glutamate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend films were prepared by a solution casting method. Surface morphologies of the polymer blend films were investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal, mechanical, and physical properties of the polymer blend films were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, tensile tests, and contact angle tests. It was revealed that the introduction of PVA could exert pronounced effects on the morphologies and the properties of the polypeptide films.