Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Wrapped Silver Nanoparticles Incorporated Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Membranes for Purification of Biogas

A solution technique was adopted to develop membranes in which chitosan-wrapped silver nanoparticles (CS-wrapped Ag nanoparticles) were incorporated in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The morphological studies and the chemical compositions of the prepared membranes were investigated using the characterization techniques like Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential scanning colorimetry, Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of CS-wrapped Ag nanoparticles on membrane swelling were systematically studied to know the gas separation performance of the membranes. TGA showed increased thermal stability of Ag-nanoparticles incorporated PVA membranes nearly twice that of plane PVA membranes. Further, SEM revealed that CS-wrapped Ag nanoparticles incorporation  into the PVA membrane matrix showed good compatibility and  high swelling properties.