Innovative Integration of Layered Carbon Materials in Biopolymer Fibrous Membranes for Sustainable Water Treatment

Abstract

Climate change and socioeconomic shifts are straining water resources, threatening public welfare and ecosystems, making it crucial to address hazardous pollutants in industrial wastewater before they enter the environment. Amidst the global transition toward a circular bioeconomy, biopolymers have emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic polymeric membranes. Their biodegradability into harmless byproducts positions them as eco-friendly options. Biopolymeric materials, particularly in fibrous forms, offer exceptional flux and permeability, enhanced resistance to fouling, and highly selective filtration. Their remarkable specific surface area and interconnected porous structure make them a superior choice for advanced filtration applications. A progressive advancement in this domain unfolds by integrating carbon-based materials into biopolymeric filtration membranes. Represented by materials like MXene, graphene oxide, and carbon nanotubes, such fillers augment biopolymeric membranes, offering exceptional attributes such as remarkable surface area, superior adsorption and ion exchange capabilities, selective permeability, chemical versatility, and antibacterial features. This comprehensive review delves into the intricacies of engineering biopolymeric membranes, emphasizing their evolution into efficient structures for wastewater treatment. It also explores the synergistic amalgamation of biopolymeric networks with carbon-based nanostructures, highlighting their collective potential in advancing environmentally conscious green membranes and achieving the ultimate objective of ensuring clean water resources.