Fabrication and characterization of a biodegradable simple, inexpensive cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based filter for antibiotic removal from wastewater

Abstract

AbstractNanocellulose (NC) as a material is attracting considerable attention due to its renewable nature, anisotropic shape, excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, tailorable surface chemistry and interesting optical properties. In addition is it easy to source in many developing countries and is inexpensive, as it is often simply considered as a waste product from banana production. In this study banana fiber (BF) chemically modified and converted into Cellulose NanoFiber (CNF) for incorporation into water filters. The properties of the CNFs thus created were characterized by using several analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal study to understand better and thus optimize its properties, for it to be used as the basis of fabricating an innovative and inexpensive design of filter for water purification used locally. The key purpose of the work was the development of a CNF-based water filter, which was fabricated by using a mixture of locally sourced kaolin (Bijoypur clay) and the CNF in a 10:1 weight ratio. The water filters thus fabricated were tested by exposure to simulated wastewater containing a combination of six readily available antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Metronidazole, Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim). The evaluation of the performance of the filter thus created was done by using UV-Visible spectroscopy measurements, before and after the filtration. These simple, CNF-based water filters were found to be highly effective in removing the antibiotic solution used per pass through the filter, showing a figure of merit of 2.7 ± 0.1 per pass. This approach provides a simple, inexpensive environmentally friendly and locally-sourced solution to reduction of antibiotics in waste water, reducing the pollution problems those antibiotics entering the wastewater supply causes.