Effect of coagulant and drying methods on regenerated cellulose membrane

Abstract

Regenerated cellulose membrane was successfully formed by coagulating cellulose solution in sulphuric acid, ammonium sulphate and distilled water. Drying method plays an important role in determining the final properties of the regenerated cellulose. Regenerated cellulose membranes were dried using three methods which were air dry, freeze dry and freezer dry. These drying methods have resulted on membrane characteristics such as water absorption. This study found that freeze dried membrane was able to re-absorb water up to 49%, while air dried and freezer dried membrane re-absorbed water up to 40 and 45% respectively.