Effects of Self-Organized Pore Formation Conditions on the Properties of Porous Cellulose Film

Porous membranes are widely used in separation, purification, biomedical applications, and biosensors, most of which are derived from petrochemical-based polymers.However, growing concerns about environmental pollution have led to increased demand for the development of porous membranes from biomass-based, ecofriendly polymers.In this study, porous cellulose films were fabricated by blending cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) using the Breath Figure self-assembly technique.The effects of CAB molecular weight and relative humidity on the pore structure and mechanical properties of the films were investigated.An increase in CAB molecular weight led to increased porosity, pore size, density, and tensile strength.Furthermore, higher relative humidity enhanced pore formation but led to a decrease in tensile strength.These results suggest that the pore size and distribution of the films can be effectively controlled by adjusting the CAB molecular weight and relative humidity using the Breath Figure self-assembly technique.