Biomass-Derived Cellulose Acetate Membranes Modified\nwith TiO<sub>2</sub>/Graphene Oxide for Oil-In-Water Emulsion Treatment

Considering the environmental\nimpact and health risks caused by\noily wastewater in the petrochemical industry, it is crucial to develop\nmore efficient separation techniques than traditional methods, such\nas membrane separation, for treating stable emulsions enriched with\nnatural surfactants. This study investigated the preparation of dense\ncellulose acetate membranes from a low-cost biomass precursor (Luffa cylindrica) and their modification with graphene\noxide (GO) and TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles, aiming to obtain a polymeric\nnanocomposite with good flux characteristics and selectivity for the\ntreatment of oil/water emulsions. The materials obtained were characterized\nusing techniques such as X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance\nspectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, along with optical\nand scanning electron microscopy, among others. The membranes were\nprepared by the casting technique and modified with the above-mentioned\nnanostructured materials. Flux analyses with petroleum emulsion revealed\nthat membranes modified with GO and TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles\nshowed significant improvements in antifouling resistance compared\nto unmodified membranes. These enhanced properties highlight the potential\nof modified cellulose acetate membranes for application in industrial\nwastewater treatment.