Morphology,drug release behavior,thermal, and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) blends

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) blends containing different amounts of PVP (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 wt %) prepared by a solution casting method were characterized in terms of microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties along with their drug release behavior. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed formation of hydrogen bonds between PEO and PVP. Although scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed no phase separation in the blends, the elemental analysis data obtained by energy dispersive X‐ray technique revealed partial miscibility between the blend components. The miscibility of the blend and degree of crystallinity of PEO component of the blend were decreased with increasing PVP content of the blend. The nucleating role of PVP in crystallization of PEO was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. A synergistic effect on mechanical properties was obtained as a result of blending PVP with PEO. The results of curcumin release studies from the films indicated that, the blends have lower diffusion coefficients and slower drug release rate as compared to the neat PEO. Theoretical analysis of the drug release data using Peppas's model revealed that the kinetic of drug release from all the films is governed by a non‐Fickian diffusion mechanism. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46403.