Development and performance of sugar palm nano-fibrillated cellulose reinforced rubber membranes for efficient palm oil mill effluent treatment

Rubber-based membranes are gaining attention in water treatment for their flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance, but their limited porosity hinders filtration performance. This study enhances palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment by incorporating sugar palm nano-fibrillated cellulose (SPNFC) into an Epoxidized Natural Rubber/ Polyvinyl Chloride (ENR/PVC) rubber-based composite membrane via solution blending and phase inversion. SPNFC significantly improved membrane properties, with tensile strength and modulus increasing by 39.6 % and 117.8 %, respectively, at 7 % SPNFC loading. These enhancements are attributed to the reinforcing impact of SPNFC, developing a robust network within the membrane matrix that effectively mitigates stress dispersion and prevents the propagation of cracks. SPNFC also improved water treatment efficiency by increasing porosity, hydrophilicity, and water flux by up to 500 % compared to pristine ENR/PVC membranes. At 7 % SPNFC loading, the membrane achieved removal efficiencies of 40.00 % for total suspended solids (TSS), 85.62 % for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 44.16 % for ammonia, and 72.55 % for color. These results highlight the synergistic effects of SPNFC in enhancing morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and separation performance. The study demonstrates the potential of SPNFC-reinforced rubber membranes as sustainable, efficient alternatives for industrial wastewater treatment, addressing critical challenges in water purification and environmental sustainability.