The application of composite materials has been useful in the development of water filters. Here, silver nanoparticle-carbon microsphere composites were formed for examination in water filtration applications. Carbon microparticles were synthesized using various biological materials, including excess byproducts such as corn husks and sawdust through the process of hydrothermal carbonization. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized on the surface of the carbon microparticles by a three-step process that includes coffee as the reducing agent. The carbon microparticles were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and imaged using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Bacterial viability tests were conducted to examine the success of the silver nanoparticles against E. coli and Bacillus cereus. Characterization of the filtration capacity is ongoing. Our most recent results will be presented.

Synthesis of water filtration composites for use against microorganisms and heavy metal in water

249th National Meeting (2015)

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