Abstract

• In this study, the composite membrane forming ability of chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and graphene oxide were prepared. The graphene oxide was prepared from graphite powder. The graphite powder (GP) and prepared graphene oxide (GO) samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR) and Thermogravimetric- Differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The XRD pattern of graphite powder and exhibited a strong peak at 2θ of 26.4° corresponding to a basal spacing of d002 0.336 nm and that of graphene oxide at 2θ of 9.79° corresponding to a basal spacing of d002 0.901 nm. The composite membranes were prepared by 1.5 % (w/v) chitosan, 4 % (w/v) PVA and modified with variable loadings of graphene oxide (GO) ranging between 0.2 g to 0.5 g wt. percent. The criteria ratio was investigated using mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength. According to the mechanical properties of composite membranes, CSPVA-GO2, results revealed that the incorporation of graphene oxide into the CS-PVA polymer matrix lead to the improvement of tensile strength and percent of elongation of break. FT IR analysis, indicated that the characteristic absorption peak of CS-PVA-GO2 composite membrane confirmed the polymer blended with GO. SEM micrograph of CS-PVA-GO2 composite membrane exhibited homogeneous and smooth texture. TG-DTA analysis showed that CS-PVA-GO2 composite membrane exhibited the major thermal stability reflected in lower loss of weight with increasing temperature that led to the delay of decomposition.