ABSTRACT The treatment of water containing oil from various industrial and environmental sources is a challenging issue. Polymeric composite membranes with reinforcing fillers have been extensively used to overcome this issue. In this study, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) incorporated with eggshell powder (ESP) composite membranes were prepared to absorb oil in water. ESP has been modified into silane-treated ESP (SESP) by using the silane coupling agent, 3-(methacryloyloxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPTS) to enhance the compatibility of the ESP in the membrane. The concentration of MPTS solution used to treat the ESP has been varied at 1%, 3% and 5% denoted as SESP1, SESP3, and SESP5, respectively to observe the chemical and mechanical properties of the composite membrane. Composite membranes reinforced with SESP have high deformation resistance with a modulus value of 2105.45 MPa compared to 1892.77 MPa of PLLA membrane. At 5% MPTS concentration, the membrane’s water contact angle (WCA) increased to 75°. The oil absorption ability of the composite membrane filled with SESP5 increased from ~ 14% to 71%. The use of MPTS to modify the surface of the ESP has improved the compatibility between the reinforcing filler and the polymer matrix as well as with the oil absorption capability.
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