Fabrication of anti-biofouling and antibacterial polysulfone membrane via impregnation of silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Biofouling is amongst the paramount complications in membrane filtration systems, which are used to purify wastewater. It increases the price tag on processes, whereas decreases the membrane permeability and period efficiency. Utilizing the strong attributes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antibacterial agents, mycological originated AgNPs were evaluated in the study. Development of polysulfone membrane (Psf) infused with AgNPs for wastewater treatment, having antibacterial along with antifouling properties were included in the study. Several water-drainage microbial insulates, e.g, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella choleraesuis, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus appeared to be restrained against AgNPs of concentration 50-500 ppm. The AgNPs impregnated Psf ultrafiltration membranes reduced the bacterial count (cfu/cm2) at the 7th, 21st, 30th and 45th day of experimentation in contrast to standard Psf membrane. The efficacy of this anti-biofouling was confirmed by employing FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques. Within FTIR, in addition to characteristic highs of Psf layer, a new top at 687 cm-1 showing a -CH=CH- pattern in the cis transfiguration was also present, proving the particular degradation of membrane on account of biofouling. The SEM images confirmed that AgNPs tried their best to hinder biofouling, hence, AgNPs proved to be a beneficial solution for restraining the biofilm expansion and increasing membrane life. Keywords: Anti-biofouling, Polysulfone membrane, silver nanoparticles, Wastewater treatment