Manufacture and Characterization of Silver Chitosan-Nanoparticle Composite Membranes and Their Applications

This study has described the manufacture and characterization of chitosan-based composite membranes with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) fillers to improve their mechanical properties. The composite membranes were prepared by casting method using acetic acid 1% as a solvent. The results showed that in general, the diameter of the pores of those composite membranes smaller than the pure chitosan membrane (control or S0), however, it increased with increasing the amount of AgNP added. The longest elongation is indicated by S1. The highest value of Young's modulus (E) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) are showed by S2 and also it showed the highest capacity of the water uptake. Based on those results, it can be concluded that by adding AgNP as filler in manufacturing composite membranes it will affect the mechanical properties as well as their application.