Volume 2 - Issue 3, May - June 2026

Nigeria faces a significant plastic waste problem, with only 12% of the 2.5 million tons of plastic waste produced annually being recycled. This study focuses on the development and characterization of a polymer membrane fabricated from recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles and chitosan derived from snail shells. PET bottles were collected, cleaned, and processed into fine particles, while snail shells were demineralized and deacetylated to produce chitosan. A dope solution was prepared by dissolving PET in trifluoroacetic acid and incorporating chitosan, which was then cast into a membrane using the solution casting method. The resulting membrane was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups associated with PET and chitosan, indicating successful incorporation of both components into the membrane. SEM/EDX analysis revealed a compact and consistent surface morphology with no visible large pores, and the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, and nitrogen, suggesting the integration of chitosan and residual mineral phases from the snail shells. TGA/DTA analysis demonstrated the thermal stability of the membrane up to 300 °C, with a multi-phase degradation pattern influenced by the presence of PET, chitosan, and inorganic residues. The increased char formation due to chitosan and inorganic substances suggests potential flame-retardant properties. This study demonstrates the feasibility of transforming PET waste and chitosan derived from snail shells into functional composite membranes, offering a sustainable approach to plastic waste management and resource utilization.

Matthew Chukwu, Ikiode Confidence, James Isaiah, Ewere Donatus,"Fabrication and Characterization of Polymer Membrane from PET Waste Using Chitosan Synthesized from Snail Shell" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(3): Page(1282-1293) May-June 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.