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Abstract

In this research, crosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Chitosan blends loaded with 1, 3, and 5 %w/w of nanoclay were synthesized to investigate its potential as membranes for CO2 separation. Elaborated membranes were characterized by using FTIR, water uptake, contact angle, porosity, and mechanical measurements. The separation capacity was evaluated through pure gases CO2 and N2 permeability tests. The addition of nanoclay caused a higher porosity and water absorption capacity, and better mechanical properties in the membranes. Moreover, the contact angle decreased, which signs the hydrophilic character of this material. The CO2 permeability increased with nanoclay addition, and the maximum CO2 permeability was reached for 1 %w/w nanoclay PVA-Chitosan membranes; the selectivity CO2/N2 also presented highest value with this nanoclay concentration.