Best of Both Worlds: Adsorptive Ultrafiltration Nanocellulose‐Hypercrosslinked Polymer Hybrid Membranes for Metal Ion Removal

Efficient water treatment ideally combines ion exchange for the removal of hardness elements and toxic trace metals as well as ultrafiltration for the removal of particulate matter. Although promising for adsorption, many high‐surface‐area polymer materials cannot be easily processed into freestanding membranes or packed bed columns, due to poor solution processability and high back pressures, respectively. The preparation of hybrid membranes comprising sulfonated hypercrosslinked polymers entrapped in nanocellulose papers is described. The hybrid membranes are effective for simultaneous ultrafiltration and ion exchange. Increasing the polymer loading of the hybrid membrane produces synergy by increasing the permeance of the membranes while enhancing the ion adsorption capacity to values exceeding those of bulk hypercrosslinked polymers. The maximum ion adsorption capacity for copper is determined to be ≈100 mg g−1 outperforming that of pure polymer (71 mg g−1) and commercially available ion exchange resins. Competitive adsorption is tested in samples containing water hardness elements and trace toxic metal ions showing high ion‐exchange capacities. Even when fully loaded with water hardness elements, Ba2+ and Sr2+ are still removed from solution. A way to formulate sulfonated hypercrosslinked polymers (SHCPs) into hybrid membranes, a previously difficult task, utilizing a cellulose nanofiber network as a carrier matrix, is reported. The membranes combine the heavy metal adsorption capacity of SHCPs with the ultrafiltration capability of nanopapers, while showing synergistic effects of improved adsorption capacity and water permeance.