Revista de hidrogeología e ingeniería hidrológica

Effective Disinfection of Escherichia coli Contaminated Water Using Silver Nanoparticle-Decorated Magnetic Cobalt Cores

Jiin Yun and Hyukmin Kweon

In recent years, the development of silver nanoparticles and their application in wastewater treatment has emerged as a highly effective disinfection method. Wastewater treatment processes effectively remove silver particles and colloids (most processes exceed 95%), but this still leaves notable concentrations escaping to effluent-receiving waters. To address this challenge, in this research, novel magnetic nanocomposites, silver nanoparticle-decorated magnetic cobalt (AgNPs/Co), were studied for disinfection of Escherichia coli (E. coli ) contaminated water. To measure the disinfection efficiency of the AgNPs/Co in the E. coli contaminated water, various studies ranged concentrations from 10 to 50 micrograms. Our results demonstrated an impressive antibacterial efficiency rate of 99.6% when using AgNPs/Co. Additionally, the efficiency rate of collecting the novel magnetic nanocomposites was found to be 100% using a magnet. The AgNPs/Co technology not only exhibits highly efficient water purification capabilities, but it also offers the added benefit of complete removability using a magnet a simple yet effective collection method. This feature plays an essential role in preventing the introduction of toxic silver nanoparticles into reservoirs, which could negatively impact both human populations and ecosystems. By enabling the production of clean water while preserving the environment, this technology stands as an innovative solution for wastewater treatment.