Fabrication of cellulose acetate nanocomposite membranes using 2D layered nanomaterials for macromolecular separation

Cellulose acetate (CA) nanocomposite ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were fabricated using 2D layered nanosheets such as graphene oxide (GO) and exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (E-MoS₂) and effectively used for the removal of macromolecular protein. The GO and E-MoS₂ nanosheets were prepared and characterized by FT-IR and XRD respectively. GO and E-MoS₂ (0.5wt.%) were blended individually with CA. The assenting changes generated by the incorporation of GO and E-MoS₂ in terms of surface hydrophilicity of the nanocomposite membrane were analyzed by pure water flux (PWF) and contact angle measurement. The influence of 2D nanosheets on the morphology of CA are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical strength and hydraulic resistance of the nanocomposite membranes were found to be improved compared to bare CA membrane. The separation and antifouling performance of the nanocomposite membranes were studied using macromolecular bovine serum albumin (BSA). From the results, it was observed that a CA/GO-0.5 membrane exhibited the highest PWF (125.4±1.7Lm^-2h^-1), water content (70.6±1.2%), porosity (34.6±1.7%), flux recovery ratio (FRR) (88.8±1.6%) and lowest contact angle (63.9±2.5°), hydraulic resistance (4.3±0.67kPa/Lm^-2h ^-1) than pure CA and CA/E-MoS₂-0.5 membranes. CA/GO-0.5 membrane displayed superior UF and antifouling performance due to the greater affinity of GO nanoparticles towards water.