Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2020) 28:1921–1933 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01737-4 ORIGINAL PAPER Efect of Zn‑Cyclen Mimic Enzyme on Mechanical, Thermal and Swelling Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystals/PVA Nanocomposite Membranes Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi 1  · Zaib Jahan 1  · Arooj Ahmed 1  · Sikander Rafq 2  · Farrukh Jamil 3  · Øyvind Weiby Gregersen 4 Published online: 25 April 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract In this work, the efect of Zn-cyclen mimic enzyme on the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose nanocrystals (PVA/ CNC) nanocomposite membranes have been studied at three diferent relative humilities (0%RH, 53%RH and 93%RH). Dif- ferent amounts of mimic enzyme were incorporated, and membranes were prepared by solution casting. The fabricated nano- composite flms were characterized by X-ray Difraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results revealed good interfacial interactions between the constituents. The membranes showed enhanced uptake of moisture, with increasing mimic enzyme concentration as well as humidity. The membranes demonstrated the abil- ity to uptake moisture for almost 4 days. The mechanical properties showed an opposite trend as expected. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and dynamic mechanical properties declined with increase in humidity along with mimic enzyme amount. The highest elastic modulus i.e. 33 MPa was found at the lowest humidity i.e. 0%RH for the pure PVA membrane. Similarly, the maximum tensile strength of 118 MPa was found at the similar conditions for the same formulation. The obtained results suggested the potential application of PVA/CNC and mimic enzyme membranes in CO 2 separation . * Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi m.b.k.niazi@scme.nust.edu.pk 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan 2 Department of Chemical Polymer and Composite Material Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Campus, Pakistan 3 Chemical Engineering Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan 4 Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway