Due to an escalating increase in multiple antibiotic resistance among bacteria, novel nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties are being developed to prevent infectious diseases caused by bacteria that are common in wastewater and the environment. A series of nanolayered structures and nanohybrids were prepared and modified by several methods including an ultrasonic technique, intercalation reactions of fatty acids, and carbon nanotubes, in addition to creating new phases based on zinc and aluminum. The nanomaterials prepared were used against a group of microorganisms, including E. coli, S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Experimental results revealed that a nanohybrid based on carbon nanotubes and fatty acids showed significant antimicrobial activity against E. coli, and can be implemented in wastewater treatment. Similar behavior was observed for a nanolayered structure which was prepared using ultrasonic waves. For the other microorganisms, a nanolayered structure combined with carbon nanotubes showed a significant and clear inhibitory effect on S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is concluded that the nanolayered structures and nanohybrids, which can be modified at low cost with high productivity, using simple operations and straightforward to use equipment, can be considered good candidates for preventing infectious disease and inhibiting the spread of bacteria, especially those that are commonly found in wastewater and the environment.
Industrial water has a dual problem because of its strong acidic characteristics and the presence of heavy metals. Removing heavy metals from water in these severe conditions has special requirements. For this problem, an economic method was used for removing iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) with extremely acidic characteristics from water. This method depends on the preparation of nanohybrids through host–guest interactions based on nanolayered structures, organic species (stearic acid), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The formation of nanohybrids was confirmed using different techniques through the expansion of the interlayered spacing of the nanolayered structure from 0.76 nm to 1.60 nm, 1.40 nm and 1.06 nm. This nano-spacing is suitable for trapping and confining the different kinds of heavy metal. The experimental results indicated that the prepared nanohybrid was more effective than GreensandPlus, which is used on the market for purifying water. The high activity of the nanohybrid is obvious in the removal of both copper and nickel because the GreensandPlus was completely inactive for these heavy metals under severe conditions. Finally, these experimental results introduce new promising materials for purifying industrial water that can work under severe conditions.
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