Functionalized nanofiber membranes for disinfection of water

Nowadays, water is often disinfected with biocides which can result in the formation of harmful by-products. Therefore new developments in water treatment are needed. One of such new developments is presented in this study. Nanofiber membranes produced by the electrospinning technique offer great potential in water filtration. Nanofiber structures have a small pore size, a large specific surface area and interconnected open pore structure which makes them appropriate for water filtration. However, the pathogen removal efficiency is not yet satisfactory. To improve this, disinfectants as a functional agent on nanofiber membranes were used in this study. The pathogen removal of the functionalized membranes was evaluated with wastewater from a general hospital with ca. 107 culturable organisms per 100 ml before filtration. Pathogen removal of about 4 to 5,5 log10 is possible with selected biocides. This is higher than a nanofibers membrane without disinfectant, which gives a removal of 2 log10 and commercial membranes with a removal of 3 to 4 log10. In addition to this, the biocides stay immobilized inside the membrane and only a limited fraction (10%) leaches into the water.

Jaar van publicatie:2011

Toegankelijkheid:Closed