Synthesis and anti-microbial investigations of CZ6 composite reinforced CA mixed matrix membranes

Abstract

In order to design cellulose acetate (CA) membranes for exceptional antifungal and antibacterial activity an idiosyncratic filler CuO–ZnO (1:6) coded as CZ6 has synthesized employing sol-gel method to integrate into CA matrix. Solution mixing followed by thermally assisted evaporation process (TAEP) is adopted for membranes synthesis. FESEM delineate filler particle size within 20 nm and membranes’ pores size changed from 1.6 nm to 1.4 nm with the varying filler ratios i.e., 2.5, 5-10 wt% to CA content. The crystallographic study elucidates the average crystallite size of CZ6 is 20 nm and confirms its presence in the host matrix. FTIR detected respective functional groups of functionalized CZ6 composite. TGA proclaims addition of filler improved thermal endurability of CA membranes. All prepared membranes are tested against Aspergillus fungus and E. coli bacteria, employing microbial culture methods. Results proclaim strong performance of CZ6 reinforced CA membranes as anti-microbial assay and can be recommended as best antimicrobial membranes.