Cellulose as a (bio)affinity carrier: properties, design and applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Separation Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Affinity sorbents are crucial for selective separation processes.
• Cellulose materials offer a versatile and sustainable platform for sorbent development.
• Rational design principles are needed to optimize sorbent performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework for the rational design of affinity sorbents using cellulose supports.
• To detail a three-level evaluation procedure integrating support, sorbent, and contactor design.
• To survey key support properties relevant to affinity chromatography.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multi-level evaluation framework.
• Integration of physical, chemical, and engineering theories.
• Survey and analysis of literature data on cellulose support properties.

Main Results:

• A systematic approach for designing cellulose-based affinity sorbents is established.
• Key support properties (morphological, diffusional, hydrodynamic, mechanical, ligand-binding) are identified and discussed.
• The framework integrates support characteristics with sorbent and chromatographic contactor design.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework enables the rational design of advanced affinity sorbents.
• Understanding cellulose support properties is vital for optimizing affinity separation systems.
• This approach facilitates the development of efficient and tailored chromatographic materials.