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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Exploring Polymer Biocomposite as a Sustainable Filter for Water Treatment

  1. Kathamrita Mullick Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur
  2. Karthik Raj S. Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur
  3. Tharunvyaash Chettiar Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur
  4. Archishman Ash Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur
  5. P. Radha Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur

Abstract

The present study explores the utilization of polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable polymer combined with surface-modified nanocellulose (SMNC), and pectin derived from Borassus flabellifer leaves and fruits respectively. Existing methods of filtration are synthetic and affect the environment and public health at an alarming rate thereby making biopolymer-based membranes a greener and effective approach for water treatment. PLA-SMNC-pectin biofilm was fabricated using 88.5 mg PLA, 3.5% (wt. % of PLA) of SMNC, and 8% (wt.% of PLA) of pectin. The optimization studies showed 65.89% and 54.8% reduction in calcium concentration and alkalinity respectively with an optimal contact time of 90 mins for a biocomposite weighing 0.5g. Bio composite’s reusability was assessed for seven cycles, and it retained 97.36% of its adsorptive capacity which is superior in comparison to the conventional methods of filtration. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the film’s effectiveness. FTIR analysis showed a peak at 2031 cm⁻¹ for adsorbed film entailing the interaction between calcium and other functional groups present in the bio-composite. XRD data confirms the increase in crystalline nature and decrement in halo peak up to 22.1o for the adsorbed film. TEM and AFM confirmed absorption by showing white patches and rough surface on the film respectively, and EDS showed a peak for calcium at 6.5 cps/eV thereby confirming the calcium absorption. TGA analysis exhibited 95% degradation for the adsorbed film whereas, the non-adsorbed film had only 50% degradation; both at 380oC which entails that adsorbed film is more susceptible to degradation.

Keywords

References (40)

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