TITLE:
Fabrication of Biodegradable Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) Electrospun Composite Membrane for Oil-Water Separation
AUTHORS:
Yaohui Liu, Cheng-Hao Lee, Yanming Wang, Chi-Wai Kan
KEYWORDS:
Poly(caprolactone), Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate), Electrospinning, Biodegradable Membranes, Oil-Water Separation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: The biodegradable polymer demonstrates significant potential for addressing the critical environmental challenges associated with oil spills; however, the cellular film structure and hydrophobic characteristics of the polymer restrict their efficacy. In this study, a biodegradable thin membrane composed of a blend of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was fabricated utilizing the electrospinning technique. The membrane exhibited an adsorption capacity for cooking oil of 10.8 g/g, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the anticipated chemical structures, revealing no evidence of chemical interactions between PHBV and PCL. This research presents an environmentally friendly and straightforward approach for fabricating biodegradable membrane structure with exceptional oil-water separation capabilities.