Nanostructured membrane filter system for rapid purification of water

A method for preparing a nanostructured composite membrane filter for purifying water, the method comprising:

• preparing a silver layer comprising a plurality of silver functionalized nanofibers for disinfecting water in which there are microorganisms;
• preparing a chemical modified layer comprising a plurality of chemical modified nanofibers for removing impurities from the water;
• and
• forming a composite membrane filter comprising the prepared silver layer and the prepared chemical modified layer;
• wherein the preparing a chemical modified layer comprises:
• preparing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) solution;
• electrospinning the PVA/PSSNa solution onto surfaces of a layer of a plurality of nanofibers to produce a PVA/PSSNa nanofibrous membrane;
• and
• cross-linking the PVA/PSSNa nanofibrous membrane;
• wherein the preparing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) solution comprises:
• preparing a homogeneous solution of PVA and PSSNa in water at about 90° C.;
• and
• preparing a dope solution having about 10 wt % PVA with a predetermined mass ratio of PVA and PSSNa.