In this work, we developed hybrid membranes integrated with Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)/Gum Arabic (GuA) conjugates using crosslinked Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a matrix phase with the addition of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer that insured pore formation. At first, the NCC was prepared from microcrystalline cellulose via acid hydrolysis process. The performance property of hybrid NCC/GuA was measured using boron removal. The results showed that the rejection capability enhanced as compared to the control membranes, especially at 0.1wt% of NCC the selectivity is up to 92.4% with the flux rate of 21.3L/m2.h. Moreover, the GuA in NCC/GuA conjugate significantly enhances the antibacterial activity by hindering the bacterial attachment to the surface as both of them carry the negative charge. Also by providing the active sites responsible for hydrogen bonding thus enhancing the hydrophilic character resulted in increased permeation flux rate. Therefore, the NCC/GuA conjugated membranes have great potentials for boron removal.
Keywords: Boron; Gum Arabic; Nanocrystalline cellulose; PEOPPO- PEO block copolymer; Polyvinyl alcohol.
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