Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control
Global water scarcity is a threat that can be alleviated through membrane filtration technologies. However, the widespread adoption of membranes faces significant challenges, primarily due to membrane biofouling. This is the reason why membrane modifications have been under increasing investigation...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/6/1274 |
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| author | Ralfs Vevers Akshay Kulkarni Alissa Seifert Kathrin Pöschel Kornelia Schlenstedt Jochen Meier-Haack Linda Mezule |
| author_facet | Ralfs Vevers Akshay Kulkarni Alissa Seifert Kathrin Pöschel Kornelia Schlenstedt Jochen Meier-Haack Linda Mezule |
| author_sort | Ralfs Vevers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Global water scarcity is a threat that can be alleviated through membrane filtration technologies. However, the widespread adoption of membranes faces significant challenges, primarily due to membrane biofouling. This is the reason why membrane modifications have been under increasing investigation to address the fouling issues. Antibacterial membranes, designed to combat biofouling by eliminating microorganisms, offer a promising solution. Within this study, flat sheet ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with integrated photocatalytic zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were developed, characterized, and assessed through filtration and fouling tests. The antibacterial properties of the membranes were conducted in static tests using Gram-negative bacteria—<i>Escherichia coli</i>—and natural tap water biofilm. The results demonstrated a notable enhancement in membrane surface wettability and fouling resistance. Furthermore, the incorporation of ZnO resulted in substantial photocatalytic antibacterial activity, inactivating over 99.9% of cultivable <i>E. coli</i>. The antibacterial activity persisted even in the absence of light. At the same time, the persistence of natural tap water organisms in biofilms of modified membranes necessitates further in-depth research on complex biofilm interactions with such membranes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:58:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3a5a0569b13f456dac874d027bacf640 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:58:07Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-3a5a0569b13f456dac874d027bacf6402024-03-27T13:56:54ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-03-01296127410.3390/molecules29061274Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling ControlRalfs Vevers0Akshay Kulkarni1Alissa Seifert2Kathrin Pöschel3Kornelia Schlenstedt4Jochen Meier-Haack5Linda Mezule6Water Systems and Biotechnology Institute, Riga Technical University, Kipsalas Street 6A, LV-1048 Riga, LatviaLeibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyLeibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyLeibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyLeibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyLeibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Straße 6, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyWater Systems and Biotechnology Institute, Riga Technical University, Kipsalas Street 6A, LV-1048 Riga, LatviaGlobal water scarcity is a threat that can be alleviated through membrane filtration technologies. However, the widespread adoption of membranes faces significant challenges, primarily due to membrane biofouling. This is the reason why membrane modifications have been under increasing investigation to address the fouling issues. Antibacterial membranes, designed to combat biofouling by eliminating microorganisms, offer a promising solution. Within this study, flat sheet ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with integrated photocatalytic zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were developed, characterized, and assessed through filtration and fouling tests. The antibacterial properties of the membranes were conducted in static tests using Gram-negative bacteria—<i>Escherichia coli</i>—and natural tap water biofilm. The results demonstrated a notable enhancement in membrane surface wettability and fouling resistance. Furthermore, the incorporation of ZnO resulted in substantial photocatalytic antibacterial activity, inactivating over 99.9% of cultivable <i>E. coli</i>. The antibacterial activity persisted even in the absence of light. At the same time, the persistence of natural tap water organisms in biofilms of modified membranes necessitates further in-depth research on complex biofilm interactions with such membranes.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/6/1274biofoulingdrinking watermembranesphotocatalysisultrafiltrationzinc oxide |
| spellingShingle | Ralfs Vevers Akshay Kulkarni Alissa Seifert Kathrin Pöschel Kornelia Schlenstedt Jochen Meier-Haack Linda Mezule Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control Molecules biofouling drinking water membranes photocatalysis ultrafiltration zinc oxide |
| title | Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control |
| title_full | Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control |
| title_fullStr | Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control |
| title_full_unstemmed | Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control |
| title_short | Photocatalytic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes for Biofouling Control |
| title_sort | photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles in antibacterial ultrafiltration membranes for biofouling control |
| topic | biofouling drinking water membranes photocatalysis ultrafiltration zinc oxide |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/6/1274 |
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