Virus removal can be successfully achieved based on an
electrostatic
adsorption mechanism. The key requirement for this process is to develop
filter materials that can be produced by low-cost technologies and
are suitable in large-scale production for real applications. In this
study, we report development of spray-dried alumina granules modified
with copper (oxide) nanoparticles and critically assess the effect
of copper oxidation state on virus removal capacity. Using plate-shaped
alumina as a support material resulted in porous structure, which
in turn ensured prolonged contact time of contaminated water with
the material. Subsequently, copper (oxide) nanoparticles provided
a large number of adsorption sites. Flow experiments revealed that
copper(I) oxide and metallic copper were the active phases in virus
removal and 99.9% of MS2 bacteriophages could be removed. However,
almost no virus removal was observed in the presence of copper(II)
oxide. Contrasting virus removal characteristics are associated with
the different surface charge of copper species, as determined by zeta
potential measurements.
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