Biosynthesized nanoparticles from aloe vera: A brief review towards membrane technology

Abstract

Nanomaterial has become an interesting additive in membrane technology field. The nano size of these materials provide high surface area which then enhanced membrane properties such as anti - fouling, photocatalytic and anti-bacterial. This review gathers and compares the method of nanoparticles’ biosynthesis using aloe vera as a reducing agent. Recent articles revealed that various plant, bacterial and fungus were used to produce nanomaterial through biosynthesis route. Aloe vera is abundant plant in Malaysia and most tropical climate country. The plant has many unique characteristics and was well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, sunburn relief, immune boost, anti-ageing and anticancer properties. In many of the studies related to biosynthesis, the nanoparticles produced were characterized by TEM, SEM, AAS, UV–VIS, FTIR, AFM, EDX, XRD techniques and was tested via anti–microbial assay. In this review, it can be concluded that biosynthesized nanoparticles added membrane value as it is eco-friendly, simple, cost effective and harmless. The incorporation of biosynthesized nanoparticles in membrane as additive has improved the membrane properties and characteristic (e.g. membrane fluxes were improved as well as its rejection and anti-fouling performance was also improved).