<br/>Water re-use is increasing its significance due to the overall water shortage in many countries around the world. Membrane technologies are gaining more attention in water and wastewater treatment processes due to their reliable removal of contaminants without the production of harmful products. Increasing environmental awareness and demands for reusable and degradable products have driven the replacement of traditional membranes in water filtration systems, which are typically made of non-degradable and toxic materials, for membranes fabricated from renewable resources such as cellulose.<br/>Previous studies of our group revealed the outstanding performance of nanocellulose and nanochitin as well as the potential of these materials as a next generation affinity membranes for water purification. The aim of the current study was the development of new nanocellulose and/or nanochitin based coatings on the surface of cellulose non-woven fabrics using cast coating as main technique. After coatings, water transport through the membranes was favoured and high flux performance was maintained, despite a slight decrease in the porous structure, due to the improvement of the wettability of the membranes, making them more hydrophilic. In addition, the membranes are designed for disposal by composting and their impact on environment, at end-of-life, will be evaluated through the study of its degradation in soil as well as its capacity as a fertilizer.<br/>These new coating formulations based on green nanotechnology in the form of nanotextured membranes will be more efficient, cost effective, and environment friendly than currently available membranes or adsorbents; providing sustainable and upscalable membrane processes and their integration into water recycling from industrial effluents.

Nanocellulose coatings on cellulose non-woven fabrics: High flux affinity membranes for water purification

2019 Spring National Meeting

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