Construction of a Cost-Effective Domestic Wastewater Disinfection Filter from Biosynthesized Compared to Commercial Nanosilver

Abstract Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered one of the most significant aspects of nanotechnology, it is an eco-friendly process. In this paper, Streptomyces sp. U13 (KP109813) was used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to construct a cost-effective wastewater disinfection filter. A comparison between the biosynthesized nanosilver and a commercially available ink nanosilver was done on both their characteristics and wastewater disinfection efficiency. The nanometrological characteristics of the biosynthesized and commercially available nanosilver such as structure, shape, size, and optical properties were investigated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), and UV-Visible spectroscopy, respectively. Ag NPs were loaded on two substrates, foam and limestone gravel. Ag NPs attached to limestone gravel better than foam and eliminated all coliforms. Wastewater disinfection under different conditions was tested. The results concluded that the type of substrate controls the amount of Ag NPs that loaded on it and thus control the disinfection process. No significant difference between using biosynthesized nanosilver and commercially available ink nanosilver in wastewater disinfection. Using limestone gravel filter loaded with 200 mg/l Ag NPs with contact time 150 min are required to reduce the number of coliforms to nil.