Poly(L-factic acid) (PLLA)/gelatin blend membranes were prepared by solution casting method and using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a cosolvent. Scanning electron microscopy measurement indicated that when the amounts of gelatin in PLLA/gelatin blend membranes are less than 5%, the sizes of phase separation of gelatin are in range of several hundred nanometers. These benefit in retaining the strength of PLLA membranes. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the semicrystalline PLLA became amorphous and the melt temperature of crystalline PLLA changes from 56 to 38 degrees C after it was processed in DMSO solvent. When the content of gelatin is less than 5%, the films not only retain a good mechanical property but also improve the hydrophilicity of PLLA. The molecular motion of PLLA in blend films were also investigated by solid state C-13 CP/MAS NMR. On the basis of the result of relaxation times, it was found that the molecular motion of PLLA100 and PLLA/gelatin blends increased when compared with that of original PLLA. It was further verified that semicrystalline PLLA became amorphous. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.