Synthesis and characterization of p-carboxy phenyl amino maleimide-g-cellulose acetate/ZrO₂ nanocomposite membrane for water desalination

The reaction of p-carboxy phenyl amino maleimide (CHM) with cellulose acetate (CA) led to the formation of a modified cellulose acetate polymer (MCA), which was characterized by UV/Vis, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The active sites of the reaction were the –NH group of (CHM) and the OAc of CA. CA was grafted with (CHM) to build branches on its main chains, using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The results of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR revealed the presence of (CHM) moieties inside the polymeric matrix. The (CA-g-CHM) ZrO₂ was fabricated into a mem-brane, using a phase inversion technique. The effect of ZrO₂ content on the water flux was discussed. The SEM/EDS was also used to characterize the membrane contents and morphology. The morphology of the membrane showed the grafted parts and the EDS confirmed the presence of nitrogen atoms in the polymeric matrix. The thermogravimetry (TGA) results showed that the membrane exhibited high thermal stability which would adjust the membrane for the desalination process. The desalination test indicated the removal of NaCl salt by the membrane, as shown by the EDS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy results. The membrane exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal properties.