Development of Modified Nanofibrillated Cellulose Wastewater Treatment Membranes for Multifunctional Filtration Applications

This thesis focuses on producing cellulose-based depth filters using in-situ synthesised mesoporous silica on cellulose with high adsorption capacity toward small charge molecules and size rejection at ultrafiltration level. Mesoporous silica loading on cellulose pulp and nanocellulose via in-situ synthesis was investigated. Optimising the grammage of the composite layer and using an NFC barrier layer for the best adsorption and filtration performance was investigated. Molecularly imprinted cellulose-mesoporous silica composites were prepared using chloramphenicol (CA) as the template. Molecularly imprinted mesoporous silica produced by CA as the pore directing agent was combined with cellulose to form the membrane for CA adsorption.