Fabrication & physicochemical characterization of

In this study, successful fabrication and characterization of fungal chitosan (FC)polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blend membranes, derived from Trichoderma reesei MTCC 4876, are presented. The structural, chemical, and thermal characteristics of the fabricated FC- PVP blend membranes were systematically investigated by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses, respectively. It was found that the membrane thickness varied from 0.01 mm for FC to 0.04-0.05 mm for blended membranes, depending on their composition and structural rearrangement. XRD data revealed a gradual change in membrane structure from semi-crystalline to amorphous with an increase in PVP content, while FTIR spectra clearly established strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between -OH and -NH groups of chitosan and -C=O groups of PVP, resulting in better miscibility, homogeneity, and density of the blend membranes. From DSC data, it was evident that thermal stability and reduced crystallinity of FC-PVP blend membranes are superior to pure chitosan, indicating a stable and compatible polymer blend system. Thus, fungal chitosan blend membranes offer better flexibility, homogeneity, and stability, which make them promising materials for various biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmentally friendly packaging materials.