RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Polarized light microscopy
The microscopic examination of the films
based on polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan in
different ratios gives information about the
homogeneity of the samples, highlighting any
phase transformation. Figures 1-5 (a and b)
provide the microscopic images of the PVA/CS
film blends and the corresponding curves of the
particle size distribution of the dispersed phase,
while Table 1 summarizes the most probable
average diameter values of these particles. The
films based on chitosan and PVA are
homogeneous upon microscopic examination.
From the analysis of optical microscopy images
and the corresponding distribution curves, it can
be seen that the chitosan particle distribution in
the PVA matrix is uniform and the chitosan
particles present various sizes and shapes, usually
as globules. Particle counts were graphically
drawn versus their average diameter for several
mixtures – Figures 1b-5b.