Facile fabrication of low-cost activated carbon bonded polyethersulfone membrane for efficient bacteria and turbidity removal

Abstract

Abstract The current research aimed to fabricate a cost-effective activated carbon disc for bacteria and turbidity removal in contaminated water using polyethersulfone membrane solution as a bonding agent. The mixing compatibility and bonding stability of the blend activated carbon disc were studied with a bonding strength test. The morphology of activated carbon discs was studied by a microscope. The activated carbon discs had a thick dense layer between the powder. Activated carbon discs significantly removed the total coliforms populations (99%) when evaluated against river water whilst removal by the powder was only up to 90%. The turbidity removal efficiency for the activated carbon increased from 29%-79% with the utilization of the membrane as the bonding agent in forming the disc. However, the pH of water treated by the activated carbon powder and disc did not change significantly, yet it lay within the pH range of safe drinking water (6.5–7.7). It revealed the important role of PES membranes for the activated carbon discs to improve coliform and turbidity removal in the water, ensuring the quality of water resources.