The increasing use of nanoparticles and their environmental presence require proper design for their removal in water treatment. In this research, the mechanism of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) removal in granular media filtration was investigated. Because they are much smaller than the pore size, AgNPs removal depends on attachment to the filter media. Experiments indicate that deposition of AgNPs increased as ionic strength increased, suggesting that the basic interaction between AgNPs and filter media (glass beads) is consistent with DLVO theory. However, when coated with natural organic matter (NOM), the deposition of AgNPs decreased due to the increased steric repulsion. The effects of the amount and type of NOM coating, as well as the possibility of attachment within the secondary minimum, are also being investigated. This research suggests that the surface modification of nanoparticles by capping can cause non-DLVO forces which affect their attachment.

Effect of non-DLVO forces on the deposition of nanoparticles in granular media filtration

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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