Fabrication of composite membrane with microcrystalline cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass as filler on cellulose acetate based membrane for water containing methylene blue treatment

A composite membrane based on cellulose acetate polymer with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) based filler from lignocellulosic biomass is one of the right solutions to reduce methylene blue (MB) levels in water. MCC has been successfully isolated from water hyacinth, sengon wood, and kapok fiber with an alkalization method. The three MCCs have shown X-ray and FTIR diffraction patterns with characteristic peaks from cellulose and are stable up to 317 °C. Cellulose acetate (CA)/MCC membranes have been prepared using the phase inversion method and characterized by FTIR, tensile strength, contact angle, SEM, and porosity. The characterization results show that the addition of MCC can increase the tensile strength (3.05 N·mm-2), hydrophilicity (52°), and porosity (88 %). The CA/MCC membrane performed better than the neat membrane in separating MB. The composite membrane with MCC from kapok fiber showed optimum performance with increased flux and MB rejection up to 84 L·m−2·h−1 and 99 %, respectively. [Display omitted] •Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was successfully made from lignocellulosic biomass.•Incorporating MCC enhances membrane hydrophilicity.•The MCC addition also boosts membrane porosity and strength.•Composite membrane excelled in methylene blue separation: high water flux & rejection.