Abstract
The availability of safe drinking water is an important issue in developing countries and remote areas where clean drinking water cannot be fully accessed. In this study, a low cost porous ceramic disk filter (PCDF) functionalized with Fe/TiO2 nano-composites was used to remove E. coli from water. The production of PCDFs coated with Fe/TiO2 nano-composites was optimized in terms of mass ratio of iron to titanium dioxide in Fe/TiO2 nano-composites, coated weight and rice-husk ratio using response surface methodology. The rice-husk ratio had a great influence on the filtration rate. PCDFs had micro pores that could trap most E. coli. Fe/TiO2 nano-composites could take advantage of the dual roles of nano-TiO2 and Fe to play a synergistic bactericidal effect on the removal of E. coli. During the operation of modified PCDFs, the concentration of E. coli and the light conditions were very important. This study provided a theoretical support for exploring the ceramic disk filter modification and bacteria reduction using PCDFs impregnated with Fe/TiO2 nano-composites. The results can help find a cost-effective and safe solution for solving drinking water problems in rural and remote areas.
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