Abstract
This review discusses the application of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and modified BNC in treating wastewater containing heavy metals and dye contaminants. It also highlights the challenges and future perspectives of BNC and its composites. Untreated industrial effluents containing toxic heavy metals are systematically discharged into public waters. In particular, lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) are very harmful to human health and, in some cases, may lead to death. Several methods such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, coagulation, and Fenton oxidation are used to remove these heavy metals from the environment. However, these methods involve the use of numerous chemicals whilst producing high amount of toxic sludge. Meanwhile, the development of the adsorption-based technique has provided an alternative way of treating wastewater using BNC. Bacterial nanocellulose requires less energy for purification and has higher purity than plant cellulose. In general, the optimum growth parameters are crucial in BNC production. Even though native BNC can be used for the removal of heavy metals and dyes, the incorporation of other materials, such as polyethyleneimine, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate and polydopamine can improve sorption efficiencies.
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Acknowledgements
The authors fully acknowledge Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Wahid Ali Hamood Altowayti extends his gratitude to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for financial sponsorship and the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme.
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UTM Fundamental Research Grant (UTMFR) Vote No. 21H22 and the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme under Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Professional Development Research University Grant (06E27).
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Nurul Syuhada Sahari, Wahid Ali Hamood Altowayti, Zaharah Ibrahim and Siti Halimah Hasmoni. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Nurul Syuhada Sahari, Wahid Ali Hamood Altowayti and Shafinaz Shahir and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Sahari, N.S., Shahir, S., Ibrahim, Z. et al. Bacterial nanocellulose and its application in heavy metals and dyes removal: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 110069–110078 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30067-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30067-w