Silver nanowire-carbon fiber cloth nanocomposites synthesized by UV curing adhesive for electrochemical point-of-use water disinfection.

Novel silver nanowire (AgNW) - carbon fiber cloth (CC) nanocomposites were synthesized by a rapid and facile method. Acting as filter in an electrical gravity filtration device, the AgNW-CC nanocomposites were applied to electrochemical point-of-use water disinfection. AgNW-CC nanocomposites were characterized by FESEM, XRD, and FTIR. Their disinfection performance toward Escherichia coli and bacteriophage MS2 was evaluated by inhibition zone tests, optical density growth curve tests, and flow tests. The results showed that complex 3D AgNW networks with controllable silver release (<100 ppb) were fabricated on CC by using UV curing adhesive. AgNW-CC nanocomposites exhibited excellent intrinsic antibacterial activities against E. coli. The concentration of AgNWs and UV adhesive controlled the released silver and hence led to the change in antibacterial activity. The external electric field significantly enhanced the disinfection efficiency of AgNW-CC nanocomposites. Over 99.999% removal of E. coli and MS2 could be achieved. More complex AgNW networks contributed to higher disinfection efficiency under 10 V and 10(6) CFU (PFU) mL(-1) of microorganism. UV adhesive could keep the disinfection performance from being affected by flow rate. The convenient synthesis and outstanding disinfection performance offer AgNW-CC nanocomposites opportunities in the application of electrochemical point-of-use drinking water disinfection.