Modification of microfiltration process using cellulosic fabric treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles as a pioneering gravity-driven filter for biofouling mitigation in water purification

This study aims to functionalize scoured cotton fabrics (SCF) with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The functionalized SCF was used to prevent microbial growth on solid surfaces and eliminate harmful pathogens in water during the filtration process. Initially, ZnONPs was prepared using Gum Arabic (GA) as a stabilizing agent, which produced dispersed ZnONPs. The results proved that ZnONPs were obtained at a size of approximately 55.91 nm. The synthesized ZnONPs were used as a finishing agent to produce multifunctional fabrics. The SEM analysis revealed the presence of highly distributed small particles onto the surface of SCF. The findings also indicate that ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters exhibit significant antibacterial effectiveness via the suppression of bacterial growth. This is evident in the experimental data, which reveals a clear divergence from the bacterial growth curve of the tested bacterial species. Similarly, the sample group of SCF microfilters that did not receive compensation for their use did not demonstrate any significant antibacterial action. These results underscore the influence of ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters on microbial cell membranes and their capacity to induce the discharge of intracellular fluids, such as proteins. The findings demonstrate that ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters exhibit improved anti-adhesion and biofouling mitigation characteristics compared to unloaded SCF microfilters. The presence of ZnONPs hinders the development of biofilm, as shown by decreased quantities of polysaccharides and proteins in the polymer matrix. Based on the toxicity data, it can be concluded that the samples are safe and may be utilized as a filter medium in the filtering process without any notable hazardous effects. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate that the ZnONPs-loaded SCF is a compelling choice for a water purification system. Consequently, these findings have great potential for the future development of water disinfection technology. The results emphasize the possibility of using ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters to address biofouling issues in water treatment applications.