Green lignocellulose-nanofibers-based molecular imprinting membranes for baicalin selective adsorption

Lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF), blending nano-scale cellulose and lignin, were carboxylated and integrated with PVA and baicalin to create a molecularly imprinted membrane (CLCNF-MINM). This innovation, leveraging reactive deep eutectic solvent technology and electrospinning, boosts adsorption capacity by 12.3-21.5 % and resolution by 31.6 %, achieving a max capacity of 142.1 mg·g^-1. The high surface area, layered structure and tunable surface chemistry of carboxyl lignocellulose nanofibers (CLCNF), along with chemisorption and multimolecular adsorption mechanisms, significantly improve adsorption efficiency and selectivity. The membrane's mechanical strength is quadrupled and it retains 96.4 % of its absorption capacity after eight cycles of use. CLCNF-MINM significantly enhances the efficient utilization of biomass resources while exhibiting exceptional performance in the separation and purification of natural products. This study provides valuable insights into the development of advanced materials for improved natural product purification.