Guar gum (GG) / Methylcellulose (MC) Blends and their Composites with Maghemite Nanoparticles

Miscibility of polymers decides the applicability of the resulting blends and immiscible polymer blends can be made compatible with suitable compatibilizer. Miscibility of blends of guar gum (GG) and methyl cellulose (MC) in common solvent water were studied by refractive index, density, ultrasonic velocity, and dilute solution viscometry methods at 30°C and 40°C. Based on these measurements, it is found that the polymer blend of GG/MC is immiscible. The effect of compatibilization with 0.02 wt% maghemite nanoparticle was studied in aqueous solution and found that 10/90 GG/MC blend is miscible in the presence of maghemite. Solution cast technique was used to prepare thin films of GG/MC blend – maghemite composite and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method