Antibacterial effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) in water treatment

In water applications, improper drainage systems increase the pollution of water resources. This study aimed to find an eco-friendly water disinfectant in the coagulation stage of drinking water treatment plants. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The antibacterial activity of iron oxide nanoparticles was assessed on six important water-polluting bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus). The results showed that the highest effect of synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles with MIC< 0.07 μg/ml is against B. cereus and E. faecalis. In addition, iron oxide nanoparticles had antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC= 0.3 μg/ml and in K. pneumoniae with MIC= 1.25 and P. aeruginosa and E. coli with MIC= 0.6 μg/ml. MBC results showed that iron oxide nanoparticles were to eliminate 99.9% of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria at a concentration of 1.25 μg/ml and K. pneumoniae at a concentration of 2.5 μg/ml. The obtained results show the antibacterial potential of nanoparticles for use in water treatment. It seems that the use of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as adsorbents in the water treatment process can be an efficient and economical alternative to disinfect water in the early stages of water treatment.