An improved physico-mechanical performance of macropores membrane made from synthesized cellulose carbamate

Sinyee Gan; Sarani Zakaria; Kushairi Mohd Salleh; Noor Intan Saffinaz Anuar; Seyedehmaryam Moosavi; Ruey Shan Chen

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.166

An improved physico-mechanical performance of macropores membrane made from synthesized cellulose carbamate

Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Apr 24:158:552-561. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.166. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sinyee Gan¹, Sarani Zakaria², Kushairi Mohd Salleh³, Noor Intan Saffinaz Anuar⁴, Seyedehmaryam Moosavi⁵, Ruey Shan Chen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Bioresources and Biorefinery Research Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
² Bioresources and Biorefinery Research Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: szakaria@ukm.edu.my.
³ Bioresources and Biorefinery Research Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: kushairisalleh@ukm.edu.my.
⁴ Fibre and Biocomposite Centre, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, 42700 Banting, Selangor, Malaysia.
⁵ Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (Nanocat), Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁶ Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

PMID: 32335111
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.166

Abstract

Under hydrothermal condition, kenaf cellulose carbamate (KCC) was synthesized using urea and kenaf core pulp (KCP) without catalyst and organic solvent. The KCC was prepared with various urea/KCP ratios (2:1, to 4:1 and 6:1) with the aid of autoclave and oil bath, whereas the regenerated KCC membranes were formed via solution casting method. The physical and thermal properties of KCC were studied. The urea/KCP ratio used in preparing KCC corresponds with the nitrogen percentage obtained in KCC. The formation of the regenerated KCC membranes could be confirmed by the existence of cellulose II through X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. As examined by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), the regenerated KCC membranes possessed the greater pore size structures at higher urea concentration. Mechanical results showed the tensile strength and modulus of regenerated KCC membranes have improved up to 43.4% and 76.9%, respectively, as compared to native KCP membrane. It can be concluded from the findings that synthesizing KCC and its membranes with improved mechanical properties has broad prospects for potential industrial applications such as biomembranes and packaging materials.

Keywords: Biomass; Cellulose derivative; Urea alkaline solvent.