Microcellulose Membranes for Water Purification

Cellulose is a natural polymer and is a major component of cell wall structure in plants. They are stable and possess high mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties. They are widely used in tissue engineering, along with other synthetic polymers such as nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and Teflon. In the recent past, they have also been applied in engineering and consumer applications. Water purification is an important application aspect of cellulosic materials in tissue engineering. Cellulose is made up of membranes and is used in water purification. Depending on the pore size and physical properties of the cellulose membranes, they are used in the removal of microorganisms, viruses, micro-/nanoplastics, and other suspended particles. Membranes made up of cellulose have significant environmental and biodegradable advantages when compared with synthetic polymer-based membranes. In this work, the latest developments pertaining to cellulosic fiber and membrane processing are discussed. Advances in different types of cellulosic membranes, such as cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate, are discussed. The barrier properties and filtration mechanisms of cellulosic membranes are discussed in this study. The recent advancements in nanofiltration and ultrafiltration of cellulosic membranes are also covered.