System and method for silver-nanoparticle-coated membranes
OwnerRafiqul Islam, Dianne Carrillo +2inventors
InventorsRAFIQUL ISLAM, Dianne Carrillo, Yuqiang Bi, ALI ANSARI
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Abstract
The present invention provides among other things a silver nanoparticle-coated membrane that reduces biofouling. The membranes exhibit extended antimicrobial properties that prevents the buildup that causes biofouling, which in turn prolongs the life of the membranes. The membranes may be reverse osmosis membranes, microfiltration membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, nanofiltration membranes, or any other membrane suitable for liquid processes.
Claims10
An antimicrobial membrane, comprising:
- A. a membrane;
- and
- B. a plurality of silver nanoparticles coupled to the membrane, wherein the plurality of silver nanoparticles have a silver sulfide core-shell structure.
A method for coating a membrane with silver nanoparticles comprising:
- A. providing a membrane coating apparatus comprising:
- i. a feed tank;
- ii. a pump coupled to the feed tank;
- iii. a membrane housing comprising a feed end, concentrate end and a permeate end, wherein the feed end is coupled to the pump;
- iv. a return tank coupled to the concentrate end of the membrane housing;
- and
- v. plugged or unplugged permeate end
- B. a dosing unit coupled to the return tank and the feed tank;
- C. circulating a silver nitrate solution through the membrane coating apparatus;
- D. circulating a nucleating agent solution through the membrane coating apparatus;
- and
- E. circulating a solution of sodium nitrate and a sulfidation agent through the membrane coating apparatus.
A method for coating a membrane with silver nanoparticles comprising:
- A. exposing a membrane to a silver nitrate solution;
- B. exposing the membrane to a nucleating agent solution;
- and
- C. exposing the membrane to a solution of sodium nitrate and a sulfidation agent.
A method for coating a membrane with silver nanoparticles comprising:
- A. providing a membrane coating apparatus comprising:
- i. a feed tank;
- ii. a pump coupled to the feed tank;
- iii. a membrane housing comprising a feed end, concentrate end;
- and a permeate end, wherein the feed end is coupled to the pump;
- iv. a return tank coupled to the permeate end of the membrane housing;
- and
- v. a dosing unit coupled to the return tank and the feed tank;
- B. circulating a silver nitrate solution through the membrane coating apparatus;
- C. circulating a D-glucose solution through the membrane coating apparatus;
- and
- D. circulating a solution of sodium nitrate and sodium sulfide through the membrane coating apparatus.
A method for coating a membrane with silver nanoparticles comprising:
- A. exposing a membrane to a silver nitrate solution;
- B. exposing the membrane to a sodium borohydride solution;
- and
- C. exposing the membrane to a solution of sodium nitrate and sodium sulfide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.