Chitosan Content Variation in Poly(vinylalcohol)/ZnO nanocomposites: Hydrophobicity

The photocatalytic composites for wastewater filtration have attracted much attention from researchers. The poly(vinyl alcohol)/Zinc oxide/chitosan PVA/ZnO/CS nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a simple dropwise protocol by varying the content of CS from ۱.۰ g to ۲.۰ g. The solubility and swelling of the samples were also studied in three different mediums (alkaline and acidic solutions and distilled water). The result of the solubility test revealed that PVA/ZnO/CS samples are insoluble only in distilled water and alkaline solution while dissolved in an acidic solution. Incidentally, the swelling test revealed that the increased CS loading leads to the swelling of beads in distilled water and alkaline solution. Results exhibited that nanocomposites with a CS content of ۲.۰ g recorded ۱۱۰.۷% and ۷۵.۱% swelling in alkaline solution and distilled water, respectively. Meanwhile, samples with the CS loading of ۱.۰ g only swell for ۹۵.۲% and ۷۰.۰% in alkaline and distilled water, respectively. In conclusion, the synthesized nanocomposites can be employed in a natural to an alkaline environment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanocomposite beads ، Chitosan ، PVA ، ZnO ، Solubility ، swelling ، Photocatalyst