Aquatic Bacteria Removal Using Carbon Nanotubes

Author

Suvish Melanta, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Date of Graduation

5-2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Kim, Jin-Woo

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to explore the functionality of carbon nanotubes as a bacterial removal method, specifically towards water-borne bacterial pathogens in wastewater by utilizing its unique magnetic and bacteria-binding properties. The general protocol set for this research follows five steps: 1) Preparation of wastewater media, 2) preparation of CNT culture, 3) preparation of reaction mixture with CNTs for bacterial binding, 4) magnetic separation of bacteria-bound-CNT clusters and, 5) assessment of supernatant. The CNTs effectively removed bacterial contaminants in the wastewater (10%, v/v) after the sand filtration process from the Paul R. Noland Wastewater Facility at Fayetteville, Arkansas. This result suggests the high potential of the CNT bacterial removal system for removing harmful bacteria in wastewater, in particular after the secondary treatment of wastewater.

Keywords

carbon nanotubes, bacteria removal, water-borne bacterial pathogens, wastewater management, sand filtration

Citation

Melanta, S. (2008). Aquatic Bacteria Removal Using Carbon Nanotubes. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/baeguht/15