Synthesis and Characterisation of Graphene Oxide/Chitosan Composite Membranes from Natural Waste

Abstract

In this paper, we report the synthesis and physical properties of the graphene oxide (GO) /chitosan (CS) composite membrane, which is effectively synthesised using natural waste. The GO/CS composite membrane analysis results were confirmed using XRD, FTIR and SEM. The XRD results of the GO/CS composite membrane showed that the diffraction peak of chitosan appeared at 2θ = 19.3o and the diffraction peak of GO appeared at 2θ = 26.3o, with the GO peak being dominant, which makes the crystallinity of CS decrease. The FTIR spectrum of the GO/CS membrane showed the disappearance of the CS glucopyranose band and the functional group (C=O) of GO at 891 cm–1 and 1,704 cm–1 and the functional group (C=C) of GO decreased at a wavelength of 1,557 cm–1. The SEM results showed the surface morphology of the GO/CS membrane, where the surface of the GO/CS composite membrane became smooth due to the contact between the hydroxyl and NH groups in CS with oxygen-containing groups in GO. The XRD, FTIR and SEM results showed the physical interaction between GO and CS. They are increasing the value of Young’s modulus, elasticity, elongation at break and absorption of metal ions. The GO/CS composite membranes are expected to have potential applications in metal absorption, biochemistry and electrochemistry.