Development of a filter system using silver nanoparticles modified silica sand for drinking water disinfection

Abstract

This study presents a filter system for the removal of pathogenic microorganisms from potable water using silver nanoparticle-modified silica sand. While silica sand has potential applications in wastewater treatment, its effectiveness in microbial filtration falls short. Thus, there is a need for an environmentally friendly enhancement method. The silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Commelina maculata leaf extracts, and their diameter ranged from 50 to 80 nm. The Ag NPs were immobilized on silica sand, improving the modified sand's physicochemical properties. The filter system, composed of Ag NP-modified silica sand packed in a glass column, reliably removed 98% of the culturable E. coli population in water. The results suggest that the developed filter system has potential use in drinking water disinfection in remote rural areas. However, further cost analysis is required before scaling up for mass production and real-world use.