Melt-processed blends of zein with polyvinylpyrrolidone

Melt-processed blends of zein and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) of varying molecular weights (55K, 360K and 1.3M) were compared based on mechanical and thermal properties. Generally, all samples stored at 50% RH exhibited a slight improvement in tensile strength, with the PVP360K samples showing the greatest improvement. At the higher levels of PVP, samples stored at 70% RH showed a decrease in tensile strength. Elongation was also more significantly impacted at higher humidity, with the higher levels of PVP causing greater elongation increases. Differential scanning calorimetry data for the blends showed single T_g values intermediate between the zein and PVP controls. Kinetic thermogravimetric data suggested a multi-step degradation interaction for the zein/PVP blends. Scanning electron microscope imaging of compression molded samples showed homogeneous surface contours for even the 20% PVP1.3M blend. Melt-processed blends of zein with polyvinylpyrrolidone of various molecular weights appear to be compatible. This work represents the first melt-processed blend of zein with PVP to generate a compatible blend.