Composite Membranes Derived from Cellulose and Lignin Sulfonate for Selective Separations and Antifouling Aspects

Abstract

Cellulose-based membrane materials allow for separations in both aqueous solutions and organic solvents. The addition of nanocomposites into cellulose structure is facilitated through steric interaction and strong hydrogen bonding with the hydroxy groups present within cellulose. An ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, was used as a solvent for microcrystalline cellulose to incorporate graphene oxide quantum dots into cellulose membranes. In this work, other composite materials such as, iron oxide nanoparticles, polyacrylic acid, and lignin sulfonate have all been uniformly incorporated into cellulose membranes utilizing ionic liquid cosolvents. Integration of iron into cellulose membranes resulted in high selectivity (>99%) of neutral red and methylene blue model dyes separation over salts with a high permeability of 17 LMH/bar. With non-aqueous (alcohol) solvent, iron–cellulose composite membranes become less selective and more permeable, suggesting the interaction of iron ions cellulose OH groups plays a major role in pore structure. Polyacrylic acid was integrated into cellulose membranes to add pH responsive behavior and capacity for metal ion capture. Calcium capture of 55 mg Ca2+/g membrane was observed for PAA-cellulose membranes. Lignin sulfonate was also incorporated into cellulose membranes to add strong negative charge and a steric barrier to enhance antifouling behavior. Lignin sulfonate was also functionalized on the commercial DOW NF270 nanofiltration membranes via esterification of hydroxy groups with carboxyl group present on the membrane surface. Antifouling behavior was observed for both lignin-cellulose composite and commercial membranes functionalized with lignin. Up to 90% recovery of water flux after repeated cycles of fouling was observed for both types of lignin functionalized membranes while flux recovery of up to 60% was observed for unmodified membranes.

Properties and Characterization of Lignin Nanoparticles Functionalized in Macroalgae Biopolymer Films

“…Since lignin has advantageous properties, it has been popular as a promising alternative to conventional petroleum-derived materials [ 13 ]. Besides, the native function of mechanical support in plants has promoted it to become one of the most popular structural fillers for polymer composites [ 14 ].…”

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Isolation of Cellulose Nanofibre and Enhancement Properties in Biopolymer Composites

“…The difference in bands is more significantly shown in the hydrogen bonding between 3600–3200 cm −1 , which is higher in bamboo CNF than in commercial CNF [ 33 ]. An absent peak at around 1512–1562 cm −1 (lignin) and 1700–1740 cm −1 (hemicellulose) indicates CNF production was high in purity [ 34 ].…”

Polymers and Solvents Used in Membrane Fabrication: A Review Focusing on Sustainable Membrane Development

“…Aside from conventional, mostly petroleum-based polymers, considerable research has been performed on developing and evaluating sustainable polymers. For example, cellulose [ 46 ], poly(lactic acid) (PLA) [ 47 ], bamboo fiber, chitosan, and others [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Green polymers have been investigated to minimize the use of petroleum-derived polymers and meet the performance requirements of membranes [ 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”