Enhancing Thermal Stability with Cellulose Derivative: A Study on Porosity and Molecular Interactions

In the present investigation, advanced porous membranes were fabricated utilizing a cellulose derivative (CD) characterized by a molecular weight of 380,000, renowned for its thermal stability and mechanical fortitude. A vacuum-assisted technique facilitated the production of membranes endowed with vertically oriented, interconnected channels. Under a regimen of 1 bar pressure within an N₂ atmosphere, the membranes demonstrated specific Gurley values and porosities, illustrating the capability to modulate physical properties through alterations in the CD to glycerin ratios, notably 1:0.9 and 1:1.1. TGA highlighted CD’s elevated melting point and thermal resilience, with glycerin incorporation serving to augment thermal stability, albeit the induction of pores subsequent to the vacuum process slightly attenuated this attribute. SEM analysis substantiated the precise engineering of vertically aligned channels and pores, validating the efficacy of the production methodology. Flux measurement investigations indicated that an increase in glycerin concentration resulted in diminished curvature of the internal channels and an enhanced density of surface pores. FT-IR spectroscopy analyses shed light on the molecular interactions, revealing the influence of glycerin on the energy absorption of the O–H bond within CD, thus fortifying intermolecular bonds. This impact was consistent in samples both before and after the vacuum treatment, indicative of chemical modifications attributed to glycerin addition, particularly manifested in the peak shift around 1050 cm⁻¹.