Characteristics and Applications of Regenerated Cellulose (RC) Membranesc

Regenerated cellulose (RC) membranes are produced from pure cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Cellulose is usually derived from wood pulp or cotton linters, and is named after a certain process of "regeneration" to form a membrane structure. The most common method for producing regenerated cellulose is the phase inversion method, dissolving cellulose or cellulose derivatives in a suitable solvent such as N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), N,N-dimethyl Acetamide (DMAc) or ionic liquid, etc., and then precipitate or coagulate cellulose in these solvents or non-solvents to form a film.

What are the molecular structure characteristics of RC filter membrane

Cellulose is a linear polymer composed of D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. In the cellulose molecule, the orientation of the glucose units is such that the -CH2OH groups are all on the same side, forming a ribbon structure, which allows the formation of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups, thereby contributing to the stability and insolubility of cellulose in water and most organic solvents. However, during the regeneration process, the cellulose chains are partially broken, and the hydrogen bonds are broken, resulting in a slight change in the structure of the cellulose, which also varies depending on the regeneration method, and this regeneration method leads to Membranes have different properties than virgin cellulose.

So let's talk about the characteristics of regenerated cellulose membrane

1. Chemical resistance, RC membrane has excellent resistance to a variety of solvents, and exhibits stability in both acidic and alkaline conditions, such as water and aqueous solutions, including acids (such as dilute inorganic acids), alkalis (such as hydrogen Sodium oxide) and salt, etc., but its specific resistance may depend on the concentration and pH value of the solution; there are alcohols such as ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol, some polar organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone, etc. It is worth noting that there are still limitations or compatibility issues between the RC film and some corrosive solvents or under certain conditions, so in practical applications, it is necessary to Compatibility testing is often performed to ensure that the membrane is truly suitable for a particular solvent or application.

2. Has good thermal stability, depending on the situation, the temperature range of the RC film depends on the specific type, thickness and intended application, etc., it can be sterilized by autoclaving, in addition, the temperature resistance of the RC film may be affected Effects of factors such as contact time, pressure, and the particular solvent or solution being filtered. The temperature range of commonly used ordinary grades ranges from -20°C to 80°C and 100°C, and the applicable temperature range of high-precision RC membranes for dialysis experiments can reach 4-121°C.

3. The affinity of RC membranes for proteins is low, due to the hydrophilicity of RC membranes, the interaction with hydrophobic regions of proteins is limited, thereby reducing their tendency to bind to the membrane surface; the lack of specific molecular interactions (such as hydrogen bonds or Electrostatic interaction) Specific binding sites or functional groups that interact with proteins, the absence of specific binding sites reduces the affinity of proteins for RC membranes; its smooth surface and controlled pore size minimize the physical Adsorption and increased filtration rejection.

4. RC membranes have high mechanical strength and flexibility, and it is generally non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible, which makes them suitable for biomedical applications.

The widest application of RC membrane

1. RC membranes can effectively remove proteins in liquid solutions or suspensions, and they are usually used in protein concentration and purification processes, such as ultrafiltration or diafiltration, to separate target proteins from other components.

2. RC membranes are widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry, mainly for filtering biological products, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and recombinant proteins. RC membranes are used in sterile filtration, virus removal and clarification steps in bioprocessing.

3. RC membranes are used in various filtration applications in the food and beverage industry, which can be used to remove protein, bacteria, yeast and other contaminants in liquids such as juice, wine and beer, helping to improve product quality and stability.

4. RC membranes are usually used in the laboratory environment for protein separation, purification and concentration, and can be used in techniques such as gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography and dialysis to separate and purify proteins according to their size or specific binding interactions.

5. RC membranes can be used in diagnostic equipment and kits, such as filtration or separation steps in assays such as immunoassays or nucleic acid purification, which can remove unwanted proteins or particulate matter from samples.

6. RC membranes are used in various environmental and industrial filtration processes, such as protein removal in wastewater treatment, filtration of enzymes or biocatalysts in industrial processes, and purification of biofuels or pharmaceutical intermediates.