Bio-sourced and biodegradable materials for membrane fabrication

As the world aims to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030, the appeal for green materials and energy is burgeoning. Membrane technology is the most efficient for clean water production, where the membranes are the heart of the process. The membrane materials developed till now are successfully used for various separation processes in food, beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial applications. However, conventional polymers’ nonbiodegradability and environmental toxicity have urged researchers to explore biopolymeric counterparts with comparable separation efficiency and robustness. Several biopolymers demonstrated excellent performance in terms of permeability and selectivity. Nevertheless, there is an ongoing debate about mechanical strength and long-term applicability. These issues can be partly addressed with the use of nanomaterials or surface modification methods. This chapter enlists the different genres of bio-based polymers with their development history and application. It also details the current research efforts to develop and deploy biopolymer-based membranes for a green economy and sustainability.