Gas separation processes through membrane permeation have attracted the attention of researchers recently due to their promising applications. In this study, we modified the cellulose acetate (CA) membrane to improve the membrane performance of CO2/CH4 gas separation. The CA membrane was modified by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 as the carrier and N, N'methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as the cross-linking agent. Gamma-ray from cobalt 60 was used as a reaction initiator with variation in irradiation doses. The membrane characterization tests were conducted using scanning electron micrograph (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and instron tensile strength tester. The permeability and selectivity of the membranes were tested against the single gases CO2 and CH4. The SEM analysis showed the morphology change in the membrane surface by gamma irradiation and a crosslinking agent. The spectra of FTIR showed a change in peak intensity on several polymer functional groups in the presence of gamma-ray irradiation. The tensile strength test showed that membranes with MBA have a higher mechanical strength than those without MBA. Based on the membrane permeability and selectivity tests, CO2 gas permeability was affected by pressure. The ideal selectivity of CO2/CH4 shows that the irradiated membrane has a higher selectivity than that of the non-irradiated membrane.
Nuclear technology can be applied not only as an energy (electricity) but also in industry as as an initiator on polymer reaction. Tapioca waste is used due to its biodegradability properties. Tapioca waste gel is formed by adding equal aquades ratio to waste weight. After gel formed, several concentrations of methyl methacrylate (w/w) is added to the gel then packed into 150 mL ampule. Using Co-60 gamma irradiation source, gel is irradiated at 5 kGy absorbed dose. Gel is extracted using acetone to get rid of sample from impurities. Glycerol as a plasticizer is added to the gel to increase polymer flexibility. Gel-Glycerol mixing is done at 60ºC, 250 rpm for one hour by adding aquadest. To analyze mechanical properties, firstly, we need to mold samples using pressurized-hot press machine. Film is formed to type 5 specimen (dog bone, astm d638-14). Specimen is tested by analyzing tensile strength characteristics. Fabrication of biodegradable plastic based packaging by using starch has an increasement of mechanical and thermal properties at 5 kGy absorbed dose. Methyl methacrylate 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% addition to the solution has 10-24 MPa tensile strength. Gel fraction has range between 88-100%. Even the lowest ratio of monomer addition can provide highest gel fraction to improve mechanical properties of tapioca waste.
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