es401219s_si_001.pdf (605.32 kB)
Superabsorbent Cryogels Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles as a Novel Water Technology for Point-of-Use Disinfection
journal contribution
posted on 2013-08-20, 00:00 authored by Siew-Leng Loo, Anthony G. Fane, Teik-Thye Lim, William B. Krantz, Yen-Nan Liang, Xin Liu, Xiao HuThis paper reports the preparation
of poly(sodium acrylate) (PSA)
cryogels decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for point-of-use
(POU) water disinfection. The PSA/Ag cryogels combine the high porosity,
excellent mechanical and water absorption properties of cryogels,
and uniform dispersion of fine AgNPs on the cryogel pore surface for
rapid disinfection with minimal Ag release (<100 μg L–1). They were used in a process that employed their
ability to absorb water, which subsequently could be released via
application of mild pressure. Their antibacterial performance was
evaluated based on the disinfection efficacies of E.
coli and B. subtilis. The PSA/Ag cryogels had excellent disinfection efficacies showing
close to a 3 log reduction of viable bacteria after a brief 15 s contact
time. They were highly reusable as there was no significant difference
in the disinfection efficacies over five cycles of operation. The
biocidal action of the PSA/Ag cryogels is believed to be dominated
by surface-controlled mechanisms that are dependent on direct contact
of the interface of PSA/Ag cryogels with the bacterial cells. The
PSA/Ag cryogels are thought to offer a simpler approach for drinking
water disinfection in disaster relief applications.