Monolayers and Thin Films of Dextran Hydrophobically Modified

Abstract

A series of biodegradable graft copolymers were synthesized by grafting epsilon-caprolactone over dextran of different molecular weights. The obtained copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR, proton nuclear magnetic resonance H-1 NMR, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. Stable monolayers at the air-water interface and spin coated thin films were prepared and characterized by the Langmuir technique and by contact angle measurements respectively. The compressibility and static surface elasticity of the monolayers and the surface energy of copolymer thin films show dependence with the epsilon-caprolactone content. From these results it can be concluded that the surface properties of grafted copolymers can be modulated by their composition. Additionally, according to the obtained results, epsilon-caprolactone grafted-dextrans show potential for being used in different applications where surface properties are important.