Synthesis and structural characterization of elastin-based polypentapeptide/hydroxypropylmethylcellulose blend films: Assessment of miscibility, thermal stability and surface characteristics

This work portrays the synthesis of Elastin-based polymer poly(GVGIP) (where; G-Glycine, V-Valine, I-Isoleucine, P-Proline) through the solution-phase strategy by stepwise approach followed by characterization with modern analytical tools. The miscibility attributes of the polypeptide were explored with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) using dilute solution viscometry method, spectroscopic, thermal, SEM, and XRD analysis. Explicitly the Huggins coefficient [KH], the intrinsic viscosity [η], parameters such as α by Sun, ∆[η]m by Garcia ∆B, and µ suggested by Chee, ∆K, and β advocated by Jiang and Han, recommend the miscibility up to 50% of the polypeptide. In the solid phase, DSC and TGA analysis showed that miscible blends possessed a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability, respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) evinced the smooth morphology for miscible blends. Besides, XRD showed broadening of the diffraction pattern ratified the miscibility. The change in frequency and intensity of FTIR peaks demonstrated the existence of intermolecular interchanges between two polymers. Overall, the approach successfully synthesized poly(GVGIP)/HPMC miscible blends up to 50%, make it an excellent choice for biomedical and pharmaceutical purposes.