Assessment of antibacterial cellulose nanocomposites for water permeability and salt rejection

Anti-bacterial nanocomposites (NC1-NC4) based on cellulose acetate were prepared by dispersing ZnO nanofillers in the cellulose acetate matrix. Anti-bacterial nanocomposites were structurally and morphological examined by XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), and FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. All the spectroscopic techniques suggested that nanocomposites are successfully synthesized. All the nanocomposites showed antibacterial activity which increased as a function of zinc oxide. Further the selectivity of anti-bacterial nanocomposites was investigated toward different metal ions, including Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Al3+, Sb3+, and Sr3+. The selectivity data suggests that nanocomposites are more selective toward Fe2+. NC1 displayed highest uptake aptitude for Fe2+ with highest distribution coefficient of 7549.123 mL g(-1). Therefore, NC1 was subjected to water permeability to explore the role of antibacterial nanocomposite as membrane for water purification. The results suggest that these materials are possibly appropriate for water treatments. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.