Grafting of 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate with Urea on to Gelatin Film by Gamma Radiation

Abstract

Gelatin films were prepared by dissolving gelatin granules in hot distilled water (90°C) followed by casting. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM) and elongation at break (Eb %) of the films were found to be 27.0 MPa, 100 MPa and 4%, respectively. Gelatin films were irradiated under Co-60 source at different doses (50-1000 krad) and it was found that TS and TM of the films increased up to 48% and 120%, respectively at 250 krad dose. Urea (1–5 wt%) was added to the gelatin solution and films were prepared by casting, then irradiated and found that TS of the 2% urea containing gelatin film was 44.3 MPa which is about 64% enhancement of TS compared to raw gelatin films at 100 krad. Gelatin-urea films were then soaked in 1–10 wt% of EHA (2-Ethylhexyl acrylate) solutions at varying soaking time and irradiated under gamma radiation up to 500 krad. The highest TS and Eb were found to be 57 MPa and 11%, respectively for the 3% EHA and 3 min soaking time at 100 krad radiation dose.