Biopolymer-Based Filtration Materials

Biobased materials such as cellulose, chitin, silk, soy, and keratin are attractive alternatives to conventional synthetic materials for filtration applications. They are cheap, naturally abundant, and easily fabricated with tunable surface chemistry and functionality. With the planet's increasing crisis due to pollution, the need for proper filtration of air and water is undeniably urgent. Additionally, fibers that are antibacterial and antiviral are critical for public health and in medical environments. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity for cheap, easily mass-produced antiviral fiber materials. Biopolymers can fill these roles very well by utilizing their intrinsic material properties, surface chemistry, and hierarchical fiber morphologies for efficient and eco-friendly filtration of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. Further, they are biodegradable, making them attractive as sustainable, biocompatible green filters. This review presents and polysaccharides, their synthesis and fabrication methods, and notable various biopolymeric materials generated from proteins uses in filtration applications.

Automated summary

Biobased materials are attractive alternatives for filtration applications due to their tunable surface chemistry and functionality, especially in the current urgent situation of environmental pollution. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of biopolymers are crucial for public health, and their biodegradability makes them sustainable green filters.