Copper oxide(I) nanoparticle-modified cellulose acetate membranes with enhanced antibacterial and antifouling...

Cellulose acetate membranes exhibit a potential to be applied in hemodialysis. However, their performance is limited by membrane fouling and a lack of antibacterial properties. In this research, copper oxide (I) nanoparticles were fabricated in situ into a cellulose acetate matrix in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (pore-forming agent) and sulfobetaine (stabilising agent) to reduce the leakage of copper ions from nano-enhanced membranes. The influence of nanoparticles on the membrane structure and their antibacterial and antifouling properties were investigated. The results showed that incorporating Cu₂O NPs imparted significant antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and fouling resistance under physiological conditions. The Cu₂O NPs-modified membrane could pave the way for potential dialysis applications.