Preparation and Permeability Test of Chitosan-Montmorillonite Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Membrane

In this research, we reported the preparation of composites membrane based on chitosan and montmorillonite (MMT). Chitosan act as matrix membrane while MMT as filler. This composite modified with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to strengthen the interaction between chitosan and MMT. The main aim of this study to find out the influence of PVA addition and operated temperature toward permeability of chitosan – MMT / PVA composite membrane. The color of the membrane is influenced by its composition. It is directly proportional to the concentration of PVA in the membrane. The mechanical properties of composite membrane has also been analyzed based on its tensile strength and showed that the composite membrane has good mechanical characteristic. The lowest methanol permeability are achieved with the addition of PVA of 2 % with the value of 5.05 × 10-6 cm2 s-1 at room temperature, 4.32 × 10-5 cm2 s-1 at 40 °C and 5.05 × 10-5 cm2 s-1 at 60 °C. Further, the characteristic of water and methanol uptake is directly proportional to membrane permeability. Membrane with low water and methanol uptake indicates that it has low membrane permeability. In reverse, decomposition of all composite membranes is found at 80 °C. Hence, the composite membrane has limited operating of 60 °C.