Comparison Between the Impact of Rice Husk Ash and Silica Fillers on Water Absorption in Chitosan Membranes

The surface morphology and water absorption behavior of chitosan based composite membranes were systematically investigated. Rice husk ash content was varied to observe the resulting effects on membrane properties. Scanning electron microscopy reveals distinct variations in surface morphology. Surface irregularities become more pronounced as filler loading increases. Incorporating rice husk ash leads to greater water absorption compared to pristine chitosan membranes, however, this effect is nonlinear. Water absorption increases to a maximum value at two weight percent ash content. Membrane swelling is also shown to deviate from the observed water absorption trend in specific cases. At different filler quantities, the interactions between filler and polymer are proposed to vary. Lower loadings generate interactions that enhance water uptake while higher loadings alter these interactions, but identifying the precise governing mechanisms necessitates additional research. These findings contribute to the greater understanding of composite material design, promising innovative solutions for numerous applications.