TIO2 NANOPARTICLES-FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERIC MEMBRANES FOR WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

One of the major challenges to public health in world is water pollution. In many developing countries the access to safe drinking water falls below acceptable levels. Bacterial contamination is one of the main causes of water pollution. Considering such important challenges, in the present study, antibacterial functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared and incorporated into the polymeric membranes to enhance their water treatment capability. The morphology, surface chemistry as well as other important performance of membranes for water treatment such as antibacterial activity against E. coli and MRSA were investigated. TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared and UV irradiated to activate their photo catalytic activity against bacteria. The phase inversion method was used to develop TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated polyethersulfone (PES) flat-sheet mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The antibacterial drug Ceftriaxone was also incorporated in selective membranes to evaluate its activity. The membranes were also exposed to UV light at intensity: 300W and wavelength: 320nm. The characterization of nanoparticles and membranes was done using different techniques like SEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA and DTA. By increasing the concentration of nanoparticles the membrane performance such as hydrophilicity, thermal stability, and water flow were enhanced while decrease in roughness and mechanical strength were observed. Both nanoparticles antibacterial activity as well as prepared membranes indicated that antibacterial activity is enhanced with the increase in nanoparticles concentration and UV exposure duration.