Development and characterization of cetylpyridinium chloride/mucilage-based composite membranes for environmental pollution control: adsorption of Alizarin Red S and antimicrobial properties

ABSTRACT Composite membrane made from cetylpyridinium chloride and natural mucilage used to remove dye pollutants and inhibit microbial growth. This research developed composite membranes using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), chia seed mucilage, and PVA via probe sonication to address environmental pollution. The membranes were tested for removing Alizarin Red S (ARS) dye through batch adsorption. Characterization was done using FTIR, SEM, and contact angle analysis. Factors like pH, membrane dose, contact time, dye concentration, and temperature were studied for their effects on adsorption. Membranes M1 and M2 showed the highest adsorption capacities (384 and 383 mg/g) following the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetics. Increasing CPC content improved antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and Candida albicans. The results demonstrate the membranes' potential as sustainable adsorbents for pollutant removal.