Systematic Design for Optimizing the Removal of Taste and Odor-Causing Algae from Drinking Water using PEBA/CDs Polymeric Nanoadsorbents

Abstract

Cyclodextrin (CDs)/polyether black amide (PEBA) polymeric nanostructures are of particular practical importance due to their nature including porosity, biocompatibility and biodegradability as new polymeric nanocomposites. The aim of this research work was to optimize the odour and taste causing algae in drinking water using PEBA/CDs nanoadsorbents. The design of experiments and the effect of experimental parameters on the rate of algae removal was done systematically by Fractional Factorial method. RSM optimization method was used to achieve the highest algae removal performance. FTIR spectroscopy, SEM images, BET technique and mapping analysis were used to characterize these nanostructures. These analyzes showed that the nanoadsorbents synthesized had ideal properties such as homogeneous morphology and fiber size distribution in the nanometer range. In addition, according to data obtained from BET technique, the surface area of the sample was about 840 m2/g. The results of studies on Navicula algae showed that PEBA/CDs polymeric nanoadsorbents can affect the quality of drinking water by reducing the number of algae colonies to 5 colonies. The results of analysis of variance showed that the parameters of dose of polymeric nanoadsorbents, water volume and contact time (Pvalue = 0.000) affect the rate of algal removal. The results showed a reduction in the number of algae colonies by 3 colonies. The use of novel nanostructures as well as the systematic studies used in this study can be used as a new strategy to improve the quality of drinking water.

Keywords

• algae removal
• drinking water quality
• peba/cds polymeric nanoadsorbent
• systematic study