Enhanced Dye Adsorption and Bacterial Removal of Magnetic Nanoparticle-Functionalized Bacterial Cellulose Acetate Membranes

Utilizing biomass waste as a potential resource for cellulose production holds promise in mitigating environmental consequences. The current study aims to utilize pineapple biowaste extract in producing bacterial cellulose acetate-based membranes with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles) through the fermentation and esterification process and explore its characteristics. The bacterial cellulose fibrillation used a high-pressure homogenization procedure, and membranes were developed incorporating 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 wt.% of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as magnetic nanoparticle for functionalization. The membrane characteristics were measured in terms of Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, Vibrating Sample Magnet-ometer, antibacterial activity, bacterial adhesion and dye adsorption studies. The results indicated that the surface morphology of membrane changes where the bacterial cellulose acetate surface looks rougher. The crystallinity index of membrane increased from 54.34% to 68.33%, and the functional groups analysis revealed that multiple peak shifts indicated alterations in membrane functional groups. Moreover, adding Fe₃O₄-NPs into membrane exhibits paramagnetic behavior, increases tensile strength to 73%, enhances activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and is successful in removing bacteria from wastewater of the river to 67.4% and increases adsorption for anionic dyes like Congo Red and Acid Orange.