SEM study of the morphology of asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes produced from recycled agro- industrial residues: sugarcane bagasse and mango seeds

Abstract

Cellulose, obtained both from sugarcane bagasse and mango seeds, was used for synthesizing cellulose acetate in order to produce asymmetric membranes. These were compared to membranes of commercial cellulose acetate (Rhodia). All produced membranes were asymmetric, characterized by the presence of a dense skin and a porous support. Differences regarding the morphology of the surfaces as well as of the porous support can be noticed. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)showed that the morphology of the superficial layer, responsible for transport, depends on the different lignin content of the starting material and also on the viscosity average molecular weight of the cellulose acetates produced from sugar- cane bagasse, mango seed, and Rhodia’s commercial cellulose acetate.