Modification of Cellulose by Polymethyl Methacrylate Grafting for Membrane Applications

Cellulose is a renewable resource that receives attention from researchers due to its potential as a raw material for the production of biofuels and new composite materials. In this study, cellulose extracted from pineapple (Ananas Comosus) leaves was grafted with polymethyl methacrylate in order to prepare a hydrophobic composite membrane with high surface area. Extraction of α-cellulose from the pineapple leaves was carried out by alkali treatment and the cellulose was grafted with PMMA at a concentration of 6 ml/g and a temperature of 60 C for 5 hours by radical polymerization via direct oxidation of Ce (IV) ions. After polymerization process completed, the homopolymer or excess PMMA was extracted from the grafted product in acetone for 24 hours. The cellulose and grafted products were analyzed and compared by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscope (FTIR), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (VP-SEM) and surface area analyzer (BET). FTIR shows the presence of additional peak from cellulose spectrum at 1736 cm^-1 attributed to the ester carbonyl group (C=O) from PMMA, XRD indicates the declination of crystallinity index, VPSEM displays a rough surface compared to a smooth cellulose surface and the increment of diameter, while BET gives a 200 % higher surface area to prove that PMMA was successfully grafted on the extracted cellulose which specially named as Cell-g-PMMA. Cell-g-PMMA will further been filled into the ENR/PVC matrix to develop a hydrophobic composite membrane for oil-water separation.