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Removal of Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles from Surface Water by Conventional Treatment Processes
Citation:
Salih, H., A. El Badawy, T. Tolaymat, AND C. Patterson. Removal of Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles from Surface Water by Conventional Treatment Processes. Advances in Nanoparticles. Scientific Research Publishing, Inc., Irvine, CA, 8(2):21-35, (2019). https://doi.org/10.4236/anp.2019.82002
Impact/Purpose:
Due to their extensive use, silver nanoparticles may occur in drinking water sources. Once released into the environment they are considered an emerging contaminant in water and wastewater. The main objective of this research was to investigate the removal of stabilized silver nanoparticles by potable water treatment processes. The flocculation and settling steps of potable water treatment were found to be key steps for removal of three silver nanoparticles. The Office of Water, water utilities and the general public would be interested in these results.
Description:
Due to their extensive use, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) may occur in drinking water sources. Once released into the environment they are considered an emerging contaminant in water and wastewater. The main objective of this research was to investigate the removal of different types of stabilized Ag NPs by potable water treatment processes. This was achieved by completing the following specific aims; 1) Synthesis of three types of stable Ag NPs, namely Citrate-reduced Ag NPs, Polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilized (PVP) Ag NPs and Branched polyethyleneimine stabilized (BPEI) Ag NPs, 2) Characterization of all Ag NPs under investigation to determine their aggregation potential, Zeta potential profiles, (pHpzc) and obtain morphological data from SEM images and XRD analyses, and 3) An evaluation of the efficacy of conventional water treatment processes (i.e., coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and sand filtration) in removing stabilized Ag NPs from natural water. The three NPs were found to be stable at the nano size in natural water. Alum coagulation had no impact on the PVP and BPEI Ag NPs. The flocculation and settling steps were found to be key steps for removal of these NPs. The three NPs were not permanently removed by means of conventional water treatment processes employed in this study.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Removal of Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles from Surface Water by Conventional Treatment Processes
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