Green and Non‐Conventional Materials for Membrane Synthesis: A Review

Abstract

Membrane separation has been an upgrade in our quest for eco-friendly processes because of its minimal energy usage and lesser waste generation. However, the most widely used membranes are polymeric membranes. Most of these membranes are non-biodegradable and are replaced after deterioration/fouling and then discarded. Dumping without treatment on a large scale is a significant environmental problem. Green polymers only make up a limited percentage of all the new materials that are reported every year. We require more research in developing renewable, inexpensive membranes from waste materials to ensure progress with the least toll on the environment. Several reported green methods can partially achieve green synthesis. This ensures the least use of nonbiodegradable polymers in membranes. This review will emphasize the exploration of more natural materials given the target is to fabricate membranes in a way, where both raw material and membrane preparation are green.

Aqueous nanoprecipitation for programmable fabrication of versatile biopolymer nanoparticles

“…It is worth noting that the dialysis-driven process avoids the involvement of organic solvents, but excessive use of dialysis membranes in large-scale particle generation would also cause potential risks to the environment during the production and post-treatment of the membranes. 51,52 Instead of the slow dialysis process, a rapid solvent-shifting process by mixing NaOH solution (4 M) and citric acid solution (2 M) containing 1 mg mL −1 of pectin ( pK a around 3.5) was then carried out to investigate the particle formation (Fig. 2A).…”

“…It is worth noting that the dialysis-driven process avoids the involvement of organic solvents, but excessive use of dialysis membranes in large-scale particle generation would also cause potential risks to the environment during the production and post-treatment of the membranes. 51,52…”