Sains Malaysiana 44(6)(2015): 875–881

Effects of MgO Particle Loading on Gas Permeation Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) / Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Membrane

(Kesan Penambahan Partikel MgO ke atas Ketelapan Gas bagi Membran Getah Asli Terepoksida (ENR) / Polivinil Klorida (PVC))

FARHAN MOHD NOR & RIZAFIZAH OTHAMAN*

Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 15 Januari 2014/Diterima: 15 November 2014

ABSTRACT

A composite membrane was prepared by mixing epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). An inorganic filler, MgO, was introduced into the polymer matrix by certain percentages to form a mixed matrix membrane (MMM). The resulting membranes were characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM and gas permeability test. FTIR results showed the incorporation of MgO inside the membrane matrix with the appearance of an absorption peak at 3700 cm^-1 which represents the formation of Mg(OH)₂. Thermogram from TGA analysis showed two degradation stages at 250-350°C and 370-500°C, which correspond to the decomposition of PVC and ENR and the residue of fillers at 600°C. SEM images of the membranes showed that pores were developed as fillers were introduced to the membrane. The size of the pores also increased with the increase of filler percentage. As for gas permeation test, the permeability values of CO₂ and N₂ for ENR/PVC membrane were the lowest. The permeability values increased with the addition of MgO to the membrane. The permeability of CO₂ was also the highest for all membranes.

Keywords: ENR-50; gas separation; inorganic filler; polyvinyl chloride

ABSTRAK

Membran komposit telah disediakan dengan mencampurkan getah asli terepoksida (ENR) dengan polivinil klorida (PVC). Pengisi tak organik (MgO) telah dimasukkan ke dalam matriks polimer tersebut dengan peratusan tertentu untuk menghasilkan membran campuran matriks (MMM). Membran yang terhasil telah dicirikan dengan menggunakan FTIR, TGA, SEM dan ujian ketelapan gas. Keputusan ujian FTIR telah menunjukkan kehadiran MgO di dalam matriks membran apabila terdapat puncak serapan pada 3700 cm^-1 yang mewakili pembentukan Mg(OH)₂. Termogram daripada analisis TGA menunjukkan dua peringkat penguraian, iaitu pada 250-350°C dan 370-500°C yang mewakili penguraian PVC dan ENR. Residu pada suhu 600°C pula adalah disebabkan pengisi yang tidak terurai. Mikrograf daripada ujian SEM menunjukkan kehadiran liang dengan kehadiran pengisi di dalam matriks membran. Saiz liang juga dilihat bertambah dengan penambahan peratusan pengisi. Untuk ujian ketelapan gas, nilai ketelapan gas CO₂ dan N₂ bagi membran ENR/PVC adalah yang terendah. Nilai ketelapan dilihat semakin meningkat dengan penambahan MgO ke dalam membran. Ketelapan gas CO₂ pula adalah yang tertinggi bagi semua membran.

Kata kunci: ENR-50; pemisahan gas; pengisi tak organik; polivinil klorida

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: rizafizah@ukm.edu.my