REGENERATED CELLULOSE MEMBRANE FROM CUOXAM ZINCOXENE BLEND

Regenerated cellulose membranes were satisfactorily prepared by coagulating a blend of 6 wt.% cellulose cuoxam (I) and 3 wt.% cellulose zincoxene (II) solutions. The structures and properties of the membranes varied significantly with II-content in the blend. When the II-content of the blend was smaller than 1/20 by volume, I and II are miscible, giving good membrane preparations. IR, X-ray diffraction, SEM and intrinsic viscosity results showed that the degree of crystallinity and molecular weight of the blend membranes were higher while the mean pore diameter (2rBAR(f)) and ethanol permeability (G) through the membrane were lower than those of membranes from pure cellulose cuoxam or zincoxene. Simultaneously, their tensile strength, toughness and thermostability were superior.