High-Toughness and High-Transparency Recyclable Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Organic-Inorganic Composite Membranes

In this paper, a recyclable and sustainable organic-inorganiccomposite membrane (hereafter referred to as PPS) was synthesizedby solvent casting method using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), phosphoricacid (H3PO4), and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) as raw materials, aiming to reduce or even replacethe use of conventional plastics. The effects of the concentrationsof H3PO4 and Na2SiO3 onthe membrane properties were investigated, and the results showedthat the PPS material has a dense structure, good thermal stability,tensile strength up to 48.36 MPa, and elongation at break up to 520.44%.Compared with PVA, the tensile strength and elongation at break wereincreased by 1.64 and 5.79 times, respectively, and its hydrophilicitywas reduced by 27%. The strength and stability of the material wereimproved through hydrogen bonding and esterification between the compounds,and the toughness and hydrophobicity of the material were enhanced.In addition, the disconnected composite membrane can be bonded bywet pressing and can be recycled to recast into a membrane after dissolvingin water at 80 & DEG;C. The manufacture of PPS by solvent castingis simple, does not produce large amounts of toxic gases in production,is recyclable and sustainable, and meets the requirements of industrialenvironmental protection. PP2S2 is internallylinked by hydrogen and ester bonds andis recyclable to maintain good mechanical properties over three cycles.