Conventional chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, chloramines and ozone have been used extensively by water treatment plants for effective removal of pathogenic microorganisms. However, due to their tendencies to form harmful disinfection byproducts, alternative methods are highly desirable. Given the antimicrobial properties of several nanomaterials and due to their unique properties (i.e. high aspect ratio, ability to disperse with other materials, and relatively easy preparation), in this project we have modified conventional microfilters with five nanomaterials, namely: carbon-nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), polyvinyl carbazole (PVK), PVK-GO, and PVK-CNT. The surface modified-membranes were examined via surface sensitive techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The antimicrobial properties of the modified filter membranes were tested against suspensions containing pure cultures of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Filtrates were plated for quantification of colony forming units and to determine microbial removal from the water. Viability tests were also performed on the membranes by live-dead staining and fluorescence microscopy. Preliminary results with E. coli and B. subtilis showed that the modified membranes with CNTs, GO, PVK, PVK-GO, and PVK-CNT were effective for bacterial removal and inactivation as compared to unmodified filters. These results suggest that nanomaterial-modified filters can be very effective for water disinfection.

Application of membrane-filters modified with carbon-based nanomaterials for water treatment

247th National Meeting (2014)

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