Preparation of nanocomposites for water purification

Naraščajoče število prebivalstva, pojav novih onesnaževal, patogenov ter drugih toksinov po vsem svetu negativno vplivajo na kvaliteto in količino voda ter otežujejo zagotavljanje in pripravo čiste pitne vode. Napredki s področja nanotehnologij ponujajo priložnosti za izboljšanje obstoječih in tudi za razvoj novih tehnologij čiščenja vod. Nanotehnologija omogoča široke možnosti pri izboljševanju učinkovitosti konvencionalnih metod čiščenja vod z uporabo naprednih filtracijskih in adsorpcijskih nanomaterialov. Nanomateriali imajo zaradi svoje majhnosti ter velike specifične površine v primerjavi s konvencionalnimi materiali večjo adsorpcijsko kapaciteto ter večjo selektivnost do vezave različnih onesnaževal, kot so težke kovine, elementi redkih zemelj in odpadna olja, že pri nižjih koncentracijah. Z nanomateriali lahko dodamo nove funkcionalnosti, zmanjšamo problematično mašenje membran in posledično zmanjšamo potrebe po njihovem čiščenju ter podaljšamo njihovo življenjsko dobo ob zmanjšanju obratovalnih stroškov. V doktorski disertaciji so predstavljene tehnologije priprave nanomaterialov, nanokompozitov in metode imobilizacije nanomaterialov z namenom aplikacije pripravljenih nanomaterialov na področju odstranjevanja mikrobioloških in organskih onesnaževal iz modelnih vod. Nanomateriale smo pripravljali s poliolno in sol-gel sintezo ter soobarjanjemnanokompozite pa z nanašanjem pripravljenih nanomaterialov na ali z njihovim vgrajevanjem v različne vlakno-tvorne substrate. S pomočjo elektro-oksidacijske filtracije smo razgrajevali fenol, razbarvali metilen modro barvilo in dezinficirali vodo z redukcijo bakterij E. coli in B. subtilis. Za namen elektro-oksidacijske filtracije smo oblikovali in izdelali prilagojen filtracijski modul. Kot filtracijski material smo uporabili antimikrobne in električno prevodni nanokompozit iz poliamid 6.6 tkanine in srebrovih nanožičk. Z uporabo oleofilno funkcionaliziranih magnetnih nanodelcev smo uspešno adsorbirali odpadno motorno olje iz vodnega medija.The growing population, the emergence of new pollutants, pathogens, and other toxins harm the quality and quantity of water and make it challenging to provide and prepare clean drinking water worldwide. Advances in nanotechnology offer opportunities to improve existing as well as to develop new water treatment technologies. Nanotechnology offers ample opportunities to improve the efficiency of conventional water treatment methods using advanced filtration and adsorption nanomaterials. Due to their small size and large specific surface area, nanomaterials have a higher adsorption capacity compared to conventional materials and greater selectivity for the binding of various pollutants, such as heavy metals, rare earth elements, and waste oils, even at lower concentrations. With nanomaterials, we can add new functionalities, reduce problematic clogging of membranes, reduce the need for their cleaning, and extend their service life while reducing operating costs. The doctoral dissertation presents technologies for the preparation of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, nanomaterial\u27s immobilization methods and applications for removal of microbiological and organic pollutants from model waters. Nanomaterials were prepared by polyol method, sol-gel synthesis, and precipitation. Nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating prepared nanomaterials into or onto various fibrous substrates. We designed and manufactured a customized filtration module for electro-oxidation filtration. Using electro-oxidative filtration, we degraded phenol, decolorized methylene blue dye, and disinfected the water (reducing E. coli and B. subtilis bacteria). Antimicrobial and electrically conductive nanocomposite made of polyamide 6.6 fabric and silver nanowires were used as filtration material. Using oleophilic functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, we successfully adsorbed waste engine oil from the aqueous medium