Development and study of novel ultrafiltration membranes based on cellulose acetate

This article investigates the development of advanced ultrafiltration membranes based on cellulose acetate, a biodegradable and widely used polymer with established applications in separation technologies. The study examines how membrane fabrication conditions, polymer additives, and carbon-based nanomaterials influence membrane structure, surface properties, and filtration performance.

By combining cellulose acetate with modifiers such as polyethylene glycol, polysulfone, Pluronic F127, and selected carbon nanoparticles, the authors evaluate strategies for improving water-treatment membranes through controlled changes in porosity, selectivity, and fouling resistance.

The results show that cellulose acetate membrane performance can be significantly enhanced through targeted formulation and processing. The combination of polymer additives and fullerene (C60) produced the most favorable outcomes, increasing water permeability while maintaining useful protein separation characteristics. Optimized cellulose acetate membranes achieved high fluxes, improved rejection of larger molecules, and good antifouling behavior, with membrane structure playing a key role in performance. These findings are relevant for the design of more efficient and potentially more sustainable filtration systems, demonstrating how cellulose acetate can be tailored for water treatment and industrial separations. The work also highlights opportunities for future research into multifunctional cellulose acetate membranes that balance permeability, selectivity, and operational stability.

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