title: SWNT-MWNT hybrid filter attains high viral removal and bacterial inactivation.
abstract: We describe the concept and demonstrate the efficacy of a novel SWNT-MWNT hybrid filter for the removal and inactivation of microbial pathogens from water. The filter is composed of a thin SWNT layer (0.05 mg cm(-2)) on top of a thicker MWNT layer (0.27 mg cm(-2)) supported by a microporous support membrane. The SWNT-MWNT filter exhibits high log removal of several model viruses (MS2, PRD1, and T4 bacteriophages) by depth filtration, which predominantly takes place in the thicker and more uniform MWNT layer. The filter removes all bacteria by a sieving mechanism, with the top SWNT layer providing high levels of inactivation of model bacteria (Escherichia coli K12 and Staphylococcus epidermidis), as well as microbes from river water and treated wastewater effluent. The dual-layer SWNT-MWNT filter lays the framework for new possibilities in point-of-use water filtration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States.
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Brady-Estévez
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schnoor
authors.forename: Seoktae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Menachem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elimelech
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000302:isolation & purification; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon