METHOD OF REMOVING E. COLI BACTERIA FROM AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The method of removing Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria from an aqueous solution includes the step of mixing multi-walled carbon nanotubes into an aqueous solution containing E. coli bacteria. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes have an antimicrobial effect against the E. coli bacteria. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes may be mixed into the aqueous solution at a concentration of approximately 0.002 g of multi-walled carbon nanotubes per 100 ml of the aqueous solution. In order to enhance antimicrobial activity, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the solution may be treated with microwave radiation, thus generating heat to further destroy the bacteria. In order to further enhance antimicrobial activity, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes may be functionalized with a carboxylic (COOH) group, functionalized with a phenol (C5H5OH) group, functionalized with a C18 group, such as 1-octadecanol (C18H38O), or may be impregnated with silver nanoparticles.