Effect of Cross-Linking with Calcium Ions on the Physical Properties of Alginate Films

Three films of sodium alginate, with different amounts of guluronic fraction, were investigated with different techniques. On increasing the fraction of guluronic units the chain-to-chain interaction was promoted. The three samples were ionically cross-linked with calcium ions by soaking the films in a solution of calcium chloride. The introduction of the cross-linking points caused an appreciable change in the physical properties, and the results were discussed in terms of different composition of the materials and in terms of the increased free volume during the cross-linking process.