Selective permeabilities of chitosan-acetic acid complex membrane and chitosan-polymer complex membranes for oxygen and carbon dioxide

Summary Chitosan-acetic acid complex membrane and several chitosan-polymer complex membranes have been prepared and the gas permeabilities of these membranes have been examined. It has been found that chitosan-acetic acid complex membrane shows high permselectivities for oxygen and carbon dioxide, and synthetic polymers can modify the permeation behavior of chitosan membrane for oxygen and carbon dioxide. The separation factor CO₂/O₂ of these membranes were much smaller than unity, indicating possible applications for the preservations of fruits and vegetables. It has been noticed that the permeation behaviors of these membranes are markedly influenced by metal ions added into the membranes and the membranes have good mechanical strength.