LAUSR

Chitosan (Chi) and gelatine (Gel) polymer blends with ZnO nanoparticles loaded on silica were synthesized through a simple solution method under ultrasonic irradiation at different concentration ratios (5:3, 1:3 and 3:5). The viscosity characteristics of the nanostructure were investigated by using ultrasound irradiation to determine the behaviour of macromolecules in solution. Rheological characterization of the nanoparticles was determined. The experimental viscosity of the nanosystems was calculated with five different models including Huggins, Kraemer, Tanglertpaibul-Rao, Higiro and Rao. The results showed that the Huggins model was the best model for intrinsic viscosity determination of nanostructures at different concentration ratios and at sonicated or non-sonicated conditions. The voluminosity (VE) and the shape factor (υ) were calculated for the nanosystems. The Krigbaum and Wall parameter (Δb) along with the Chee parameter (μ) were calculated to understand the miscibility behaviour. The miscibility criterion was slightly affected by the collapse and cavitation. The intermolecular interactions occurring between polymers were investigated by comparing the experimental and ideal intrinsic viscosity. Characterization of the nanostructures was carried out via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques.