Potential of a functionalised nanofibre microfiltration membrane as an antibacterial water filter

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of functionalised electrospun nanofibre microfiltration membranes, spun by an innovative electrospinning technique, for water disinfection. As such, this study bridges between development in electrospinning techniques for the production of flat sheet membranes and the application of these membranes in water filtration and disinfection. Different functionalising agents (nanosilver, bronopol, WSCP, …) were initially evaluated in short term experiments. The most performing agent (WSCP) resulted in a 5.2 log₁₀ colony forming units removal per 100ml (CFU/100ml) hospital wastewater when a 5omf% WSCP functionalised membrane was applied. Long term lab scale tests showed a 5.6 log₁₀ CFU/100ml removal for Staphylococcus aureus and a 4.0 log₁₀ CFU/100ml removal for Escherichia coli, indicating a better removal of Grampositive bacteria. Leaching experiments showed a 10% wash-out of the applied functionalising agent. This leaching did not obstruct the pathogen removal capacity of the functionalised nanofibres. Further research should be conducted towards the reproducibility and controllability of electrospinning of functional nanofibres.