Title | Magnetically ultraresponsive nanoscavengers for next-generation water purification systems. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Zhang M, Xie X, Tang M, Criddle CS, Cui Y, Wang SX |
Journal | Nat Commun |
Volume | 4 |
Pagination | 1866 |
Date Published | 2013 |
ISSN | 2041-1723 |
Keywords | Anti-Bacterial Agents, Disinfection, Escherichia coli, Magnetic Phenomena, Magnets, Nanoparticles, Silver, Solutions, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Water Purification |
Abstract | The development of sustainable, robust and energy efficient water purification technology is still challenging. Although use of nanoparticles is promising, methods are needed for their efficient recovery post treatment. Here we address this issue by fabrication of magnetically ultraresponsive 'nanoscavengers', nanoparticles containing synthetic antiferromagnetic core layers and functional capping layers. When dispersed in water, the nanoscavengers efficiently interact with contaminants to remove them from the water. They are then quickly collected (<5 min) with a permanent magnet, owing to their magnetically ultraresponsive core layers. Specifically, we demonstrate fabrication and deployment of Ag-capped nanoscavengers for disinfection followed by application of an external magnetic field for separation. We also develop and validate a collision-based model for pathogen inactivation, and propose a cyclical water purification scheme in which nanoscavengers are recovered and recycled for contaminant removal. |
DOI | 10.1038/ncomms2892 |
Alternate Journal | Nat Commun |
PubMed ID | 23673651 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4123635 |
Grant List | R33 CA138330 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States R33CA138330 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States U54 CA151459 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States U54CA151459 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States |