Microcrystalline Cellulose-Blended Polyethersulfone Membranes for Enhanced Water Permeability and Humic Acid Removal

Abstract

A novel polyethersulfone (PES)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composite membrane for humic acid (HA) removal in water was fabricated using the phase inversion method by blending hydrophilic MCC with intrinsically hydrophobic PES in a lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) co-solvent system. A rheological study indicated that the MCC-containing casting solutions exhibited a significant increase in viscosity, which directly influenced the composite membrane’s pore structure. Compared to the pristine PES membrane, the composite membranes have a larger surface pore size, elongated finger-like structure, and presence of sponge-like pores. The water contact angle and pure water flux of the composite membranes indicated an increase in hydrophilicity of the modified membranes. However, the permeability of the composite membranes started to decrease at 3 wt.% MCC and beyond. The natural organic matter removal experiments were performed using humic acid (HA) as the surface water pollutant. The hydrophobic HA rejection was significantly increased by the enhanced hydrophilic PES/MCC composite membrane via the hydrophobic–hydrophilic interaction and pore size exclusion. This study provides insight into the utilization of a low-cost and environmentally friendly additive to improve the hydrophilicity of PES membranes for efficient removal of HA in water.

Surface functionalization of cellulose derived from hemp by tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and poly vinylidene fluoride-based composite separator membrane for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)

“…Contrary, the porosity of 4 wt% MCC/TEOS-based PVDF membrane was dramatically decreased to 71.8%. Due to the agglomeration of higher concentration of MCC/TEOS might be generated the specific bounds between MCC/TEOS and PVDF, resulting to limitation of membrane performance [35].…”

Advanced Polymeric Nanocomposite Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review

“…For cellulosic materials, the two main mechanisms involved in the removal of heavy metal ions are ion exchange and chemical complexation mechanisms [ 339 ]. Cellulose materials possess excellent hydrophilicity due to the presence of -OH groups on their surface, making them perfect additives for TFNC membranes [ 340 ]. Hoang et al deposited cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as an interlayer on PES substrate and a barrier layer was fabricated using the IP method.…”

“…Nazri et al incorporated microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) into hydrophobic PES matrix using the NIPS method and found that 3 wt.% MCC resulted in improved water permeability (51.50 ) compared to the pristine membrane and a 96.14% humic acid rejection. Although the inclusion of MCC results in a better PI rate, leading to elongated and bigger pore sizes benefiting the flux response, it is important to note that 3 wt.% loading also reduced the tensile strength (6.57 → 5.71 MPa) compared to the pristine membrane due to an aggregation issue in the casting solution [ 340 ]. Other studies have shown better flux responses, 485 [ 344 ] and 692 [ 345 ], when using CNC and lignin cellulose nanofibrils in the PES membrane in the presence of PVP additive, which adds to the pore-forming property and reduce the aggregation of NPs.…”

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic ENR/PVC Composites as Potential Membrane Technology in Industrial Wastewater Treatment: A Review

“…A polyethersulfone (PES)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composite membrane for humic acid (HA) removal in water was made by Nazri et al [107] using the phase inversion method. A rheological study showed that MCC-containing casting solutions increased viscosity, affecting the composite membrane's pore structure.…”