Poly(ethyleneimine) is a water soluble polymer used as a membrane lubricant for filtering frozen cell membranes. PEI cellulose in small columns will separate cyclic nucleotides from related compounds at the same electrolyte concentration that is used for thin layer chromatography on PEI cellulose-coated plates. PEI solution may also be used in the synthesis of a nanofibrous membrane, which may be used in the adsorption of anionic dyes and heavy metal ions from wastewater samples.