Facile method to fabricate robust homogeneous braid-reinforced cellulose acetate hollow fiber membranes with enhanced physiochemical properties

Cellulose acetate (CA) membrane is usually utilized in wastewater treatment and biomedical process due to its good biocompatibility and easy processing but low flux and poor anti-fouling. The hydrophilicity and anti-fouling property of membrane could be improved through the doping of functional nanoparticles. Herein, the robust homogeneous braid reinforced (HBR) CA hollow fiber membranes with GO-doping were fabricated by the continuous skin-core spinning method. The content of GO exhibited noticeable effects on the structure and property of HBR CA hollow fiber membranes. On the one hand, the neatly arranged finger-like pore structure and good permeability could be designed. On the other hand, the high protein rejection and anti-fouling property were obtained. For example, the pure water flux and BSA rejection were improved from 115.7 L m(-2) h(-1) to 201.4 L m(-2) h(-1), 97.2% to 99.5% respectively. The optimal GO content was 0.1 wt% according to the assessment of flux decline coefficient, flux recovery rate and BSA rejection. Moreover, the HBR structure provided favorable interface bonding strength and excellent mechanical strength, which was suitable for the high pressure backwash and aeration process in filtration system. In a word, the HBR CA hollow fiber membrane with good hydrophilicity and anti-fouling property showed potential applications for wastewater treatment and biomedical process. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

In this research, the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling property of cellulose acetate membranes were improved through the doping of graphene oxide (GO). The fabricated hollow fiber membranes with GO-doping exhibited a neatly arranged finger-like pore structure and good permeability. The membranes also showed high protein rejection and anti-fouling property. The optimal GO content was determined to be 0.1 wt%, and the membranes were suitable for high pressure backwash and aeration processes in filtration systems. Overall, the GO-doped cellulose acetate hollow fiber membranes showed potential applications in wastewater treatment and biomedical processes.