Exploring Polymer Biocomposite as a Sustainable Filter for Water Treatment

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 04 | Page : 594 608
    By

    Kathamrita Mullick,

  • Karthik Raj S.,

  • Tharunvyaash Chettiar,

  • Archishman Ash,

  • P. Radha,

  1. UG Student, Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. UG Student, Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. UG Student, Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. UG Student, Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Assistant Professor (Sr. G), Bioprocess Principles Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The present study explores the utilization of polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable polymer combined with surface-modified nanocellulose (SMNC), and pectin derived from Borassus flabellifer leaves and fruits respectively. Existing methods of filtration are synthetic and affect the environment and public health at an alarming rate thereby making biopolymer-based membranes a greener and effective approach for water treatment.  PLA-SMNC-pectin biofilm was fabricated using 88.5 mg PLA, 3.5% (wt. % of PLA) of SMNC, and 8% (wt.% of PLA) of pectin.  The optimization studies showed 65.89% and 54.8% reduction in calcium concentration and alkalinity respectively with an optimal contact time of 90 mins for a biocomposite weighing 0.5g. Bio composite’s reusability was assessed for seven cycles, and it retained 97.36% of its adsorptive capacity which is superior in comparison to the conventional methods of filtration. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the film’s effectiveness. FTIR analysis showed a peak at 2031 cm⁻¹ for adsorbed film entailing the interaction between calcium and other functional groups present in the bio-composite. XRD data confirms the increase in crystalline nature and decrement in halo peak up to 22.1o for the adsorbed film.  TEM and AFM confirmed absorption by showing white patches and rough surface on the film respectively, and EDS showed a peak for calcium at 6.5 cps/eV thereby confirming the calcium absorption.  TGA analysis exhibited 95% degradation for the adsorbed film whereas, the non-adsorbed film had only 50% degradation; both at 380oC which entails that adsorbed film is more susceptible to degradation.

Keywords: Water treatment, calcium removal, biopolymer membrane, polylactic acid, pectin.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Kathamrita Mullick, Karthik Raj S., Tharunvyaash Chettiar, Archishman Ash, P. Radha. Exploring Polymer Biocomposite as a Sustainable Filter for Water Treatment. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):594-608.
How to cite this URL:
Kathamrita Mullick, Karthik Raj S., Tharunvyaash Chettiar, Archishman Ash, P. Radha. Exploring Polymer Biocomposite as a Sustainable Filter for Water Treatment. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):594-608. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=221981


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Special Issue 04
Received 18/03/2025
Accepted 12/04/2025
Published 01/06/2025
Publication Time 75 Days
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