Animal Cellulose with Hierarchical Structure Isolated from Tunic as the Basis for High-Performance Pressure-Resistant Nanofiltration Membrane.

The structure and transport properties of the new Cellokon-AKH membrane based on animal cellulose obtained from tunic of ascidian were studied. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, and the X-ray diffraction data revealed significant differences in the structure and morphology of upper and lower surfaces of this layered film membrane based on animal cellulose. It was shown that the membrane surface is a network of intertwined cellulose fibers, with both denser and looser areas present on the lower surface compared to the completely uniform morphology of the main part of the upper surface.