Cellulose acetate polymer matrix loaded Olea europaea nanosolids as low fouling membrane composite

A considerable hindrance in application of ultrafiltration membranes for aqueous application is an occurring fouling which promotes deterioration of the membrane separation processes. Natural Olea europaea leaves extract nanosolids embed in cellulose acetate polymer matrix to enhance anti-biofouling properties of ultrafiltration membrane. Olea europaea phenolic compounds extracted by using Microwave-assisted Extraction (MAE) method and evaporated to obtain nanosolid particles. The cellulose acetate/Olea europaea nanosolids (CA/OEN) membrane composite prepared using phase inversion method. The membrane properties evaluated in term of mechanical, mass transport and anti-biofouling properties. The membranes show a good mechanical property with the membrane tensile ranged within 3.3 N/mm2 and 6.8 N/mm2, and can acts as ultrafiltration composite membranes based on the pure water transport across the membrane, with the pure water flux ranged from 0.3 L/m2.h.bar to 0.9 L/m2.h.bar. In term of anti-biofouling properties, the membrane shows a good anti-biofouling property against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus, with the percentage of area covered by bacteria are ranged between 0.39 % and 1.41 %. Yet, penetration of phenolic substance into bacterial cells could effectively occurred in a Gram-negative bacterium such as Escherichia coli due to low affinity, thin cell wall, and few peptidoglycans structure.