Addition of glycerol plasticizer to seaweeds derived alginates: Influence of microstructure on chemical–physical properties

A study of the interaction among sodium alginates of different molecular compositions, water and glycerol was carried out, in order to weigh up the influence of different polymeric microstructures on the chemical–physical properties of films obtained by water soluble blends of sodium alginates and increasing amounts of glycerol. Thermal, mechanical and morphological analyses performed on the films confirmed the existence of specific interactions between sodium alginates and glycerol; it was as well demonstrated that only at specific mass ratio between the single polymers and glycerol it is possible to obtain the correct plasticizing effect induced by glycerol.