Composite Membrane Based on Track-Etched Membrane and Chitosan Nanoscaffold

A method has been developed for modifying a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membrane (TM) with a chitosan nanoscaffold to create a new composite membrane with individual properties. To provide increased adhesion and obtain a uniform nanoscaffold chitosan layer, a specially developed TM with an electrically conductive titanium layer was used as a counter electrode of the collector. The effect of solvent in the spinning solution on the chitosan nanoscaffold is considered. Thermal and chemical cross-linking was used to stabilize the chitosan nanoscaffold. The surface morphology of the composite membrane has been analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The water and gas permeabilities of the composite membrane have been studied. The electrokinetic characteristics of the composite membrane have been investigated depending on the pH of a 0.01 M KCl solution, and the strength characteristics of the composite membrane have been studied. It has been shown that the resulting composite based on TM with titanium and chitosan nanoscaffold can be a platform for the fabrication of membrane-sorption materials.

Automated summary

A method has been developed to modify a PET track-etched membrane with a chitosan nanoscaffold, creating a new composite membrane with individual properties. The study investigates the effects of solvent, thermal and chemical cross-linking, and surface morphology analysis on the water and gas permeabilities of the composite membrane.