Addition of glycerol plasticizer to seaweeds derived alginates: Influence of microstructure on chemicalphysical properties

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