has several challenges including membrane permeability, lifetime, and energy costs.
Therefore, interconnected, highly porous nanofibrous polymer membrane filtration
could be used to overcome these technical challenges. Owing to lightweight, high
permeability, and small pore size, nanofibrous polymer membranes can be potential
candidates to remove unwanted smaller particles in the water. The performance of
the nanofibrous membrane depends on their fiber thickness, distribution, pore size,
porosity, and tortuosity factor. Nanofibrous membrane with desired properties can
be obtained for water filtration by electrospinning technique. The antimicrobial
activity of the polymer nanofibrous membrane can be further improved by the
incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles because of their good antimicrobial
effects. Due to the high antimicrobial effect, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been
widely incorporated with polymer to produce nanofibrous membrane for water
filtration. In particular, zinc oxide nanoparticles incorporated with bio-based polymer (cellulose acetate) nanofibrous membranes showed potential material for water
filtration to ensure safe and easy access drinking water.
Keywords Cellulose acetate, Electrospinning, Nanofibrous membrane, Water
purification treatment, Zinc oxide nanoparticles
1 Introduction
Water is a basic resource and it occupies more than 70% of the earth’s surface, but its
pollution causes millions of people to drink impure water [1]. Around the world,
there are 80 countries facing numerous problems in water shortage, and 25% of the
population do not have access to fresh drinking water. Therefore, the quality of
drinking water is extremely important to avoid waterborne diseases. There are two
major types of water pollution, namely, organic and chemical pollution. Organic
water pollution is caused by excrement, animal, and vegetable wastes. On the other
hand, the household products, heavy metals, drugs, nitrates, phosphates, pesticides,
acids, and hydrocarbons used in industries are the main sources for chemical water
pollution. In addition, the human activities such as modern agricultural practices,
industries, marine dumping, radioactive wastes, urbanization, deforestation, and
sewage and waste water are mainly responsible for water pollution. There are
many strategies available to purify the water including waste water treatment,
desalination, membrane bioreactor, membrane distillation, and heavy metal ion
adsorption. Currently, human being is facing three major challenges such as water
treatment for drinking purpose, sewage treatment infrastructure, and extreme use of
water in agricultural. Water is abundant and accessible, but it is not used for drinking
purpose by humans due to its unhealthy condition. In particular, the availability of
fresh water for drinking purpose is in great demands in the developing countries.
Many studies have reported the effect of various environmental factors of physical
226
E. Thangaraju and R. Muthuraj
Therefore, interconnected, highly porous nanofibrous polymer membrane filtration
could be used to overcome these technical challenges. Owing to lightweight, high
permeability, and small pore size, nanofibrous polymer membranes can be potential
candidates to remove unwanted smaller particles in the water. The performance of
the nanofibrous membrane depends on their fiber thickness, distribution, pore size,
porosity, and tortuosity factor. Nanofibrous membrane with desired properties can
be obtained for water filtration by electrospinning technique. The antimicrobial
activity of the polymer nanofibrous membrane can be further improved by the
incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles because of their good antimicrobial
effects. Due to the high antimicrobial effect, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been
widely incorporated with polymer to produce nanofibrous membrane for water
filtration. In particular, zinc oxide nanoparticles incorporated with bio-based polymer (cellulose acetate) nanofibrous membranes showed potential material for water
filtration to ensure safe and easy access drinking water.
Keywords Cellulose acetate, Electrospinning, Nanofibrous membrane, Water
purification treatment, Zinc oxide nanoparticles
1 Introduction
Water is a basic resource and it occupies more than 70% of the earth’s surface, but its
pollution causes millions of people to drink impure water [1]. Around the world,
there are 80 countries facing numerous problems in water shortage, and 25% of the
population do not have access to fresh drinking water. Therefore, the quality of
drinking water is extremely important to avoid waterborne diseases. There are two
major types of water pollution, namely, organic and chemical pollution. Organic
water pollution is caused by excrement, animal, and vegetable wastes. On the other
hand, the household products, heavy metals, drugs, nitrates, phosphates, pesticides,
acids, and hydrocarbons used in industries are the main sources for chemical water
pollution. In addition, the human activities such as modern agricultural practices,
industries, marine dumping, radioactive wastes, urbanization, deforestation, and
sewage and waste water are mainly responsible for water pollution. There are
many strategies available to purify the water including waste water treatment,
desalination, membrane bioreactor, membrane distillation, and heavy metal ion
adsorption. Currently, human being is facing three major challenges such as water
treatment for drinking purpose, sewage treatment infrastructure, and extreme use of
water in agricultural. Water is abundant and accessible, but it is not used for drinking
purpose by humans due to its unhealthy condition. In particular, the availability of
fresh water for drinking purpose is in great demands in the developing countries.
Many studies have reported the effect of various environmental factors of physical
226
E. Thangaraju and R. Muthuraj