Can plant extracts be directly used in the fabrication of polymeric membranes for enhanced performance? A study on ultrafiltration membranes with Lycopodium

In this study, flat sheet PVDF membranes containing Lycopodium extracted with acetone and NMP were fabricated using the phase inversion method. When acetone was used as a solvent, PWF and reversible fouling rates were decreased. On the other hand, the PWF of NMP membranes fabricated with 0 %L, 1 %L, 2.5 %L, and 5 %L concentrations were found to be 198, 189, 167, and 148 L/m2.h, respectively. Although a decrease in fluxes was observed, an increase in FRR and reversible fouling rates was observed. Moreover, according to CLSM results, the live/dead cell ratio in the 5 %L-NMP membrane decreased from 16.7 to 0.7. Membranes with improved antifouling and antimicrobial properties were obtained by direct Lycopodium extraction in NMP. It is believed that these environmentally friendly membranes, produced through a more sustainable method, will perform well, especially in MBR applications.