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Lignin- and Cellulose-Derived Sustainable Nanofiltration Polyelectrolyte Membranes
Olawumi Sadare1, Garyfalia A Zoumpouli1, Y M John Chew1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom.
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
|February 14, 2025
Summary
This study introduces sustainable nanofiltration (NF) membranes made from biopolymers using only water. These eco-friendly membranes effectively remove charged molecules, showing promise for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional nanofiltration (NF) membranes rely on fossil fuels and hazardous solvents, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
- There is a growing need for environmentally benign materials and processes in membrane fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel polyelectrolyte membrane (PEM) for nanofiltration using sustainable biopolymers.
- To investigate the performance and stability of the fabricated PEM using water as the sole solvent.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a PEM using cationic lignin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose via layer-by-layer assembly on a poly(ether sulfone) support.
- Characterization of membrane performance including pure water permeance, rejection of charged dyes (methylene blue and reactive orange-16), and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO).
- Assessment of membrane stability in deionized water over 30 days.
Main Results:
- The PEM exhibited a pure water permeance of 6 L/m²·h·bar with 5 bilayers.
- Achieved high rejection rates: 96% for methylene blue and 93% for reactive orange-16.
- Demonstrated a MWCO of 300-620 Da, classifying it as a loose NF membrane, with excellent stability over 30 days.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable nanofiltration membranes can be effectively produced from biopolymers using environmentally friendly solvents.
- The developed PEM shows significant potential for applications in protein removal, wastewater treatment, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals due to its efficient rejection of charged molecules.
