Warawut Puthai, Pikul Wanichapichart and Amnuay Kaewpiboon

pp. 867 - 876

Abstract

This work reports the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on characteristics of chitosan membranes. Parameters used for membrane characterization were hydraulic permeability (L_p), molecular weight
cut off (MWCO), and membrane impedance (Z). The results obtained from L_P and Z imply that larger a
amount of PEG addition enhances membrane porosity and enlarges the pore size. The prepared membranes
were ultrafiltration type, with MWCO slightly greater than 35 kDa. Membranes without PEG addition
could be nanofiltration type with L_p
 value of 0.4x10^-11 m³
 N^-1 s^-1, 10-20 times smaller than the other.

Keywords

• chitosan
• polyethylene glycol
• molecular weight cut off
• impedance spectroscopy
• bovine serum albumin