Abstract :

In the present study, the membranes based on Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with blending ratio of 20:80 (w/w) have been prepared. The blend membranes with same composition but with varied thickness were prepared i.e. 45 and 90 μm. The two variant membranes thus prepared were tested for mechanical strength to assess its tolerance. The membranes used for measuring the oxygen permeability under varying feed pressures (maintaining the preferred gas pressure differential throughout the membrane) in the range from 1 to 10 kg/cm2 feed pressure. Oxygen permeability of the membranes ranged from 0.1123 to 0.1661 Barrer for 45 μm and 0 to 0.1365 Barrer for 90 μm thick membrane has been recorded with linear increase in feed pressures. Except at 10 kg/cm2 pressure, the observed oxygen permeability values are almost close to total permeability. Further, the prepared membranes were tested for biodegradability and are found to be biodegradable. The tested membrane could be the best candidate as oxygen barriers and are very useful in the food packaging industries.