High-throughput mixed-matrix membrane with superior anti-bacterial properties: A facile approach towards development of point-of-use water purification device

• Mixed-matrix UF membrane as point-of-use bactericidal portable device developed.
• A methodology for energy-efficient and cost-effective domestic water purification developed.
• Bactericidal Ag-nps impregnated within a highly porous benign matrix of polymer.
• As a survival mechanism, bacteria experience negative chemotactic responses.
• Solvent throughput of 2500 LMH/bar and bacterial rejection of 99.99% achieved.

A distinctive and impactful idea has been materialized to develop high-performance mixed-matrix ultrafiltration (UF) membranes using non-solvent induced phase inversion technique, utilizing various optimized compositions of polymer – polysulfone (Psf) and bactericidal nanostructured material, i.e., silver nanoparticles (Ag-nps). Membranes in sheet-configuration with high void volumes were synthesized employing large amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as porogen. The resultant porous morphology and surface chemistry, i.e., surface hydrophilicity and electrokinetic features were assessed by instrumental techniques. The notable separation performances were observed as the membranes exhibited very high solvent throughput with reasonable anti-microbial activity. It has been substantiated that the nanoparticles upon impregnation within such a benign matrix of polymer exerted more pronounced mechanistic role towards anti-microbial efficacy on Escherichia coli, since as a survival mechanism the bacteria undergoing flagellar locomotory motion started experiencing negative chemotactic responses under the modified circumstances. With an objective of applying the salient features of such membranes, the facile methodical attempt was utilized in fabricating a domestic water purification device, with the membrane in candle-configuration for treatment of environmentally relevant aquatic media. It has been corroborated that our impactful approach towards development of an efficient water purification methodology (solvent throughput: 2500 LMH/bar and bacterial rejection: 99.99%) confirms the significance of membrane technology as a green and sustainable process with provision of easy scale up, energy and cost efficiency.

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