In-situ Synthesis of Carbon Dot at Cellulose Nanofiber for Durable Water Treatment Membrane with High Selectivity

•Carbon dot (CD) was in-situ synthesized at the surface of cellulose nanofibers (CNF).•The CD anchored to the CNF via amide bonding and increased the interactions of CNFs.•The CD@CNF film showed outstanding morphological durability in aqueous solutions.•The CD on the surface increased the pure water flux of the CD@CNF membrane.•The CD@CNF membrane showed selective cationic dye removal and reusability.