Chemically charged-modified filter for removing particles from a liquid and method thereof

A chemically charged-modified filter for removing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles from an aqueous liquid, said chemically charged-modified filter comprising:

• a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• and
• chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules;
• so that when said chemically charge-modified filter is in contact with the aqueous liquid containing the charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles, said particles are adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter.

A method of removing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles from an aqueous liquid, said method comprising passing an aqueous liquid containing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles through a chemically charge-modified filter comprising:

• a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• amphiphilic macromolecules adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• and chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules;
• so that when the aqueous liquid containing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles is passed through the chemically charge-modified filter, the charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles are adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter.

A method of removing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles from an aqueous liquid, said method comprising passing an aqueous liquid containing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles through a chemically charge-modified filter comprising:

• a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• and
• chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins;
• so that when the aqueous liquid containing charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles is passed through the chemically charge-modified filter, the charged, micron to sub-micron sized particles are adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter.

A method of removing a substantial portion of waterborne pathogens from an aqueous liquid contaminated with such waterborne pathogens, the method comprises passing the contaminated aqueous liquid through a chemically charge-modified filter comprising:

• a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• amphiphilic macromolecules adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• and chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic macromolecules, said chemical charge modifiers comprising:
• a primary charge modifier comprising a water soluble organic polymer having at least one quaternary ammonium group and a molecular weight of greater than about 1000, each monomer of the polymer having at least one epoxide group capable of interacting with the individual exposed surfaces of the filter sheet modified with amphiphilic macromolecules;
• and
• a secondary charge modifier bonded to a portion of the epoxy groups on the organic polymer, wherein the secondary charge modifying agent is an aliphatic polyamine having at least one primary amine and/or secondary amine;
• so that when the contaminated aqueous liquid is passed through the chemically charge-modified filter, a substantial portion of the waterborne pathogens are adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter.

A method of removing a substantial portion of waterborne pathogens from water contaminated with such waterborne pathogens to produce potable water, the method comprises passing the contaminated water through a chemically charge-modified filter comprising:

• a filter sheet having a plurality of individual exposed surfaces, at least a portion of which having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• amphiphilic proteins adsorbed onto at least some individual exposed surfaces having a surface energy of less than about 45 dynes per centimeter;
• and
• chemical charge modifiers incorporated onto at least a portion of the amphiphilic proteins, said chemical charge modifiers comprising:
• a primary charge modifier comprising a water soluble organic polymer having at least one quaternary ammonium group and a molecular weight of greater than about 1000, each monomer of the polymer having at least one epoxide group capable of interacting with the individual exposed surfaces of the filter sheet modified with amphiphilic proteins;
• and
• a secondary charge modifier bonded to a portion of the epoxy groups on the organic polymer, wherein the secondary charge modifying agent is an aliphatic polyamine having at least one primary amine and/or secondary amine;
• so that when the contaminated water is passed through the chemically charge-modified filter, a substantial portion of the waterborne pathogens is adsorbed onto the chemically charge-modified filter to yield potable water.