Facile removal of Escherichia coli from water using amorphous membrane fabricated on aluminum plate

Water treatment plants rely on disinfection to ensure water safety. Various methods, including those using adsorbents, have been employed for this purpose. Recent studies focused on simpler and more functional adsorption techniques, highlighting the need to evaluate their effectiveness and ease of implementation. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of aluminum plates coated with amorphous membranes for the removal of waterborne pathogens. The amorphous membrane that can remove Escherichia coli (E. coli) was synthesized through a simple process by immersing aluminum plates in a magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) aqueous solution with ammonia (NH₃) water, followed by immersion in a sodium carbonate solution (Na₂CO₃) at 20 ℃. Material characterization included X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis. In tests to remove E. coli from water, the Na₂CO₃-treated amorphous membrane showed remarkable removal efficiency, removing 99% of E. coli within 30 min and achieving complete removal within 2 h. This material can be readily synthesized and shaped to optimal specifications for purification systems. Furthermore, the material facilitates the recovery process following pathogen adsorption, rendering it a promising resource for simple and cost-effective disinfection of water.