Aquaticpollutants

CECs and AMR bacteria pre-concentration by ultra-nano filtration and Abatement by ThermoCatalytic Nanopowders implementing circular economy solution

NanoTheC-Aba will deliver an energy efficient new integrated prototype system for water purification composed of:

• the first-to-be realised ultra-stable silicon carbide (SiC) UltraFiltration/ NanoFiltration (UF/NF) membrane for pre-concentration of the CECs contaminated water,
• an innovative nano-enabled thermocatalytic energy efficient packed-bed reactor (TPBR) for the generation of OH radicals able to abate CECs and residues of AMR bacteria via an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), and
• a nano-enabled antimicrobial MicroFiltration (MF) membrane

The TPBR beads are obtained by recycling SiC membranes scraps deriving from the ordinary production process and will be coated with thermocatalytic perovskite-nanopowders allowing full abatement of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and of Antimicrobial Resistant (AMR) pathogens at mild temperatures without need of chemicals and light sources. The MF membrane is coated with antibacterial titania-silica-core shell nanoparticles for inactivating AMR bacteria, while removing suspended solids. The UF/NF membrane separates the clean permeate stream, ready to be recycled or reused, from the toxic concentrate, which is purified by the TPBR, thus preventing discharge of CECs and pathogens in rivers and oceans.

The new system is compact, amenable to scale-up, and ease to integrate in mariculture, aquaculture, tannery, hospital, and other industrial wastewaters treatment facilities, providing safe and efficient operation. The integration of the three components allows the optimization of each system unit both alone and in combination, boosting the efficiency of the process and ensuring high water quality and safety, by enabling a water and SiC recycling multi-circular model.

 

Achievements so far

The NanoTheC-Aba project focused on the preparation and characterisation of thermocatalytic silica perovskite nanoparticles, aiming at optimal thermocatalytic activity and adhesion to SiC supports through a sonochemical process. In addition, titania-silica core-shell nanoparticles have been synthesised and applied to SiC microfiltration membranes, showing potential antibacterial properties.

Significant achievements include the development of a small-scale thermocatalytic packed-bed reactor for the removal of emerging contaminants and AMR pathogens. Antibacterial microfiltration (MF) membranes with titania nanoparticles demonstrated efficacy against solids and anti-microbial resistant bacteria. The study identified an optimised sample (NTA8) by investigating the effect of silica on structural, textural and redox properties.

Next steps include testing beads made from SiC membrane remnants coated with silica-functionalised thermocatalytic perovskite nanoparticles. Overall, the research has advanced the synthesis and application of nanoparticles with potential in filtration membranes, catalytic reactors and effective pollutant removal with antibacterial properties.

If you're interested in scientific publications associated with NanoTheC-Aba, click here.