Electrospun Biodegradable Bi-layered Microfiber Membrane for Aluminum Removal in Drinking Water

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naznin Sultana

Aims: This study aimed to eliminate metallic contaminants in drinking water by using electrospunbilayered microfiber membrane. Background: Fast industrialization triggers environmental pollution. Heavy metals like silver, lead and aluminum are the major contaminants that are extremely toxic and accumulate in biological tissues through the food chain and cause a health hazard. Electrospinning is a promising technique among other conventional techniques. Electrospun membranes possess suitable properties for microfiltration purposes. In this study, to fabricate electrospun membranes, polycaprolactone (PCL) and zeolites were used as materials. PCL polymer is biocompatible and biodegradable, and zeolite ismicroporous, which is good for filtration or molecular sieving application. Method: Using the electrospinning technique, PCL, PCL/zeolite, PCL and PCL/zeolite bilayeredelectrospunmembranes were fabricated. The properties of the membranes were evaluated using different techniques. The performance of the membranes was tested by filtering Aluminum (Al)in drinking water. Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses confirmed the removal of Al using the membranes. ICP-OES results showed above 90% of Al removal using PCL and PCL/zeolite electrospun membrane. Conclusion: These membranes are non-toxic and biodegradable and have the potential to be used for microfiltration purposes.

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Syhamiel Iqhwan Che Rusli ◽  
Mohd Izzat Hassan ◽  
Naznin Sultana ◽  
Ahmad Fauzi Ismail

The presence of heavy metals in drinking water leads to several health problems. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)/zeolite nano or microfiber electrospun composite membranes, diameter range of the fibers was 2 µm- 6 µm, were fabricated by using electrospinning technique. The membranes separation processes have played very crucial roles in water purification industry. Apart from that, the membranes are prepared with biocompatible, non-toxic materials which will be eco-friendly. In order to produce electrospun membrane, 15% (w/v) of PCL polymer solution was dissolved in acetone and 20% (w/w) zeolite was incorporated into the PCL polymer solution. Electricity charged jet of polymer solution from the syringe formed an electrostatics field when the high voltage of 20kV was applied. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) implemented to indicate the characterization of membranes. The water contact angle of PCL/zeolite membrane was 119.53±5.24 which was almost same as pure PCL membrane (107.73±8.54). The inducible results obtained in this study suggested that electrospun pcl and polycaprolactone/zeolite layer by layer nanofibrous membranes can be a favored verdict for the removal of heavy metal ions.


Author(s):  
N. Sultana ◽  
M. S. I. Rusli ◽  
M. I. Hassan

The presence of heavy metals in drinking water leads to several health problems. Nano and micro fiber membranes can be used to overcome this through nano or microfiltration process. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)/zeolite electrospun composite membranes were fabricated and characterized. PCL is one of the synthetic polymers used in biomedical applications. It has several advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical flexibility. On the other hand, zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as commercial adsorbents. Electrospinning is a promising technique to produce membranes by applying high voltage electricity. In this research, an electrospinning technique was used to fabricate the electrospun membrane based on PCL and zeolite. In order to produce electrospun membrane, 15% (w/v) of PCL polymer solution was dissolved in acetone and 20% (w/v) zeolite nanoparticles were incorporated into the PCL polymer solution. The diameter range of fiber was 2-6 µm. Zeolite nanoparticles were distributed homogenously into the fibers. EDX spectrum confirmed the presence of zeolite throughout the membrane. From the performance testing, it was revealed that the membrane can be potentially used as microfiltration to entrap silver contaminants in drinking water. Apart of that, the membranes are prepared with biocompatible, non-toxic materials which can be eco-friendly.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Dizer ◽  
J. Dürkop ◽  
A. Grohmann ◽  
H. Kopecka ◽  
J. M. López-Pila

Secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants contains a high number of viruses and other pathogens, which pose a health risk to the population, (especially when receiv ng waters are used for bathing and swimming, or for growing shellfish. In areas with a high density of population, where drinking water supply is dependent on surface waters and contaminated rivers are the primary source of drinking water, failure of the filtration or of the disinfection step, or of any other “barriers” supposed to warrant safe potable water, will increase the risk of health hazard for the consumer. We have compared the efficiency of viral elimination in secondary effluent by flocculation, uv rradiation and membrane filtration taking naturally occurring, or additionally seeded f2 phages, as indicator for viruses. Flocculation decreased the number of phages present in secondary effluent by more than two logs. If combined with uv irradiation, the elimination reached five additional logs. Membrane filtration eliminated essentially all naturally occurring phages. Improvement of the quality of surface waters calls for a refinement of detection methods for viruses. We have found that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) might be used for detecting viruses in surface waters.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 5840
Author(s):  
Enver Faella ◽  
Simona Mancini ◽  
Michele Guida ◽  
Albina Cuomo ◽  
Domenico Guida

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere abundantly. Its ionizing radiation provides the largest human internal exposure by inhalation and ingestion to natural sources, constituting a serious health hazard. The contribution to total exposure is mainly due to inhalation, as ingestion by food or drinking water is typically very small. However, because of public health concerns, the contributions from all these sources are limited by regulations and remedial action should be taken in the event that the defined threshold values are overcome. In this paper, the first campaign of measurements to control the radon activity concentration in drinking water from public water supplies in the province of Salerno, south Italy, is described. The results represent a main reference for the area, as it was never investigated before. The purpose of this survey was to contribute to data compilation concerning the presence of radon-222 in groundwater in the Campania region and to determine the associated risk for different age groups. The maximum radon activity concentrations and the related total annual public effective dose turned out to be lower than the threshold values (100 Bq/l and 0.1 mSv/y, respectively) indicated by international guidelines and the national regulation, showing that the health risks for public consumption can be considered negligible.


2012 ◽  
Vol 706-709 ◽  
pp. 584-588
Author(s):  
Lia Rimondini ◽  
Federica Demarosi ◽  
Ismaela Foltran ◽  
Nadia Quirici

Electrospinning technique is an efficient processing method to manufacture micro-and nanosized fibrous structures by electrostatic force for different applications. In biomaterial field, electrospinning technique has been successfully utilized to prepare new drug delivery materials and tissue engineering scaffolds. Fiber mats of biodegradable polymers having a diameter in the nanoto submicro-scale can be considered to mimic the nanofibrous structure of native extracellular matrix (ECM). Native extracellular matrix, constituted of proteins and polysaccharides improving cells growth in its nanofibrous porous structure, controls not only the cell phenotype, but the whole structure of the biological tissues. In the present study we investigated the effect of electrospun reconstituted collagen fibers onto metals for oral implants devices manufacturing as far as the osteoblastic differentiation potential of stem cells and cytofunctionality of osteoblasts in-vitro. The cells cultured onto titanium samples coated with ECM constituents showed faster osteoblastic differentiation and more efficient deposition of mineralized matrix in comparison with those onto uncoated substrates.


Local Precipitation (Rain) is a good source of surface water and could be a safe source of drinking water if it is free from contaminants. Many Asian countries do not have access to safe drinking water; therefore, they have no alternative but to use water from contaminated sources that poses a health hazard. In the present study, thirty three rain water samples were collected from Karachi, Pakistan during monsoon season of year 2007. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and hardness were immediately monitored after sample collections and possible sources of NH4, Na, K, Mg, Ca, F- , Cl- , NO3 - , CO3 -2 and SO4 -2 concentrations in rain water of Karachi city, Sindh, Pakistan were analyzed in order to distinguish safe source of drinking water. All samples were completely free from fluoride contamination while the concentration of chloride and sulfate was in range of 15.11-125 mg/l and 10.02- 72.02 mg/l indicate their presence from air pollution. Moreover, the study showed that the rain water can be harvested to extend potable and non-potable water supplies in this city.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Cui ◽  
Zongwang Huang ◽  
Li Lei ◽  
Qinglin Li ◽  
Jinlong Jiang ◽  
...  

AbstractDeath from acute hemorrhage is a major problem in military conflicts, traffic accidents, and surgical procedures, et al. Achieving rapid effective hemostasis for pre-hospital care is essential to save lives in massive bleeding. An ideal hemostasis material should have those features such as safe, efficient, convenient, economical, which remains challenging and most of them cannot be achieved at the same time. In this work, we report a rapid effective nanoclay-based hemostatic membranes with nanoclay particles incorporate into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) electrospun fibers. The nanoclay electrospun membrane (NEM) with 60 wt% kaolinite (KEM1.5) shows better and faster hemostatic performance in vitro and in vivo with good biocompatibility compared with most other NEMs and clay-based hemostats, benefiting from its enriched hemostatic functional sites, robust fluffy framework, and hydrophilic surface. The robust hemostatic bandages based on nanoclay electrospun membrane is an effective candidate hemostat in practical application.


2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (11) ◽  
pp. 1038-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. V. Zaitseva ◽  
Irina V. May ◽  
S. V. Klein ◽  
S. S. Khankharev ◽  
A. A. Boloshinova

There are described an algorithm and methods for collecting the evidential base for causing hazard to the health of the population of Zakamensk (the Republic of Buryatia) in the zone of influence of the waste of the past activities of the Dzhidinsky tungsten-molybdenum combine. The source of danger is lying sands, containing a complex of toxic heavy metals - lead, cadmium, manganese, nickel, chromium, etc. The algorithm for the formation of the evidential base included: a general analysis of the sanitary and hygienic situation; assessment in the dynamics of the quality of atmospheric air, drinking water, soil, food; assessment of the risk to the health of the population; epidemiological studies; in-depth clinical surveys of a representative group of city residents (280 people). In the blood of the examinees, heavy metals were identified as biological markers of the exposure. There was evaluated a complex of the response (effect) adequate to effects of laboratory markers. By methods of mathematical statistics there was established the presence of reliable relationships in the system “source of hazard - the quality of the environment - exposure to risk factors - health status.” The hazard to the health of a citizen, due to the negative impact of the factor, was considered to be proven if it was possible to build a continuous step-by-step logical chain of relationships between the source of the harmful effect, the quality of the habitat and the establishment of the fact of the disease. The quality of the habitat of the population of Zakamensk was shown to give rise in unacceptable risks to the health of residents. The main influencing factor is the pollution of atmospheric air, local food products and drinking water from public and private wells. Risks are realized in terms of a level of the primary morbidity rate of the population of the respiratory diseases, endocrine system, digestive organs that is relatively high compared to the matched area. The relationship between health hazard and environmental factors has been fully proved in 14% of the surveyed persons. At the same time, the territory was shown not be characterized as a zone of “ecological disaster” or “an emergency environmental situation”.


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