Abstract:
The improvement of membrane applications for wastewater treatment has been a focal
point of research in recent times, with a wide variety of efforts being made to enhance the performance,
integrity and environmental friendliness of the existing membrane materials. Cellulose nanocrystals
(CNCs) are sustainable nanomaterials derived from microorganisms and plants with promising
potential in wastewater treatment. Cellulose nanomaterials offer a satisfactory alternative to other
environmentally harmful nanomaterials. However, only a few review articles on this important field
are available in the open literature, especially in membrane applications for wastewater treatment.
This review briefly highlights the circular economy of waste lignocellulosic biomass and the isolation
of CNCs from waste lignocellulosic biomass for membrane applications. The surface chemical
functionalization technique for the preparation of CNC-based materials with the desired functional
groups and properties is outlined. Recent uses of CNC-based materials in membrane applications
for wastewater treatment are presented. In addition, the assessment of the environmental impacts
of CNCs, cellulose extraction, the production techniques of cellulose products, cellulose product
utilization, and their end-of-life disposal are briefly discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and
prospects for the development of CNC from waste biomass for application in wastewater treatment
are discussed extensively. Finally, this review unraveled some important perceptions on the prospects
of CNC-based materials, especially in membrane applications for the treatment of wastewater.
