Sustainable Cellulose Nanocrystals for Improved Antimicrobial Properties of Thin Film Composite Membranes

Author(s)

Jackson, Jennifer C. ^[1] ; Camargos, Camilla H. M. ^[2] ; Noronha, Victor T. ^{[1, 3]} ; Paula, Amauri J. ^[3] ; Rezende, Camila A. ^[2] ; Faria, Andreia F. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Florida, Engn Sch Sustainable Infrastruct & Environm, Dept Environm Engn Sci, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, Phys Chem Dept, UNICAMP, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Ceara UFC, Dept Phys, Solid Biol Interface Grp SolBIN, BR-60455900 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING; v. 9, n. 19, p. 6534-6540, MAY 17 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

In this study, we were able to impart antimicrobial properties onto the surface of a commercial thin-film composite (TFC) membrane using sustainably derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) leaves. Carboxylic acid-containing CNC were chemically bound to the amine-terminated polyamide active layer of TFC membranes using a cross-linking reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were conducted to confirm the presence of CNC on the membrane surface. TFC membranes functionalized with needle-like and antimicrobial CNC nanoparticles showed robust toxicity to bacteria, inactivating similar to 89% of attached Escherichia coli cells under contact. These findings establish that functionalization with CNC is a promising approach for mitigating biofouling on TFC membranes and substantiates the application of sustainable materials for the design of the next-generation membranes for water purification. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/23769-1 - Preparation and applications of nanostructures from plant biomass
• Grantee: Camila Alves de Rezende
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants