Fabrication of a Nanocarbon-Reinforced Nanoclay Membrane for Purification of Drinking Water Contaminated with Escherichia coli

Abstract

Ultrafiltration systems are considered clean and environmentally acceptable for removing bacteria and contaminants from drinking water. This study used poly sulfone polymer (PSU), DMF, Kaolinite Nanoclay  with carbon nanoparticles synthesized from date seeds using reverse-phase technology. In this case, the performance of an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was improved. Carbon nanoparticles (0, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.075%) were examined, and the polymer concentration was maintained at 17%. The membrane was tested for its ability to remove Escherichia coli from contaminated drinking water. FTIR, AFM, SEM, and EDX tests were used to characterize the membrane composition and structure. As the carbon nanoparticle concentrations varied, the membrane's morphology changed. Various factors were also studied, such as the membrane's ability to remove bacteria from drinking water. The synthesis of membrane (nanofilm) was confirmed using FTIR which conformed presence of active groups responsible for the synthesis process. AFM show revealed an array of homogeneous particles with a regular surface, SEM show a smooth spherical appearance with a diameter range of the particles between 27.69-63.74 nm, EDX spectra shown the main components of the extract were carbon (C), and oxygen (O), , with percentages of 64.8%, and 24%, respectively. The presence of minor components such as Al, Si, S, and Cl with percentages of 0.6% , 0.7% , 8.7%, and 0.3%, respectively. The results of removing contaminated bacteria from drinking water using membranes indicated significant statistical differences (P≤0.05) between the membranes. The efficiency of the membranes was in the following order: F4>F3>F2>F1 compared with sampled without treatments. The study demonstrated that the fabricated nanoclay membrane reinforced with nanocarbon exhibited high efficiency in removing Escherichia coli from contaminated drinking water.