Reactions Between Contaminants and Functionalized Organic Self-Assembled Monolayers in Aqueous Solutions
Abstract
The interaction of bacteria, virus, and proteins with functionalized surfaces has been studied widely and the results of this investigation do not contradict the existing knowledge. However, the attachment of the organic matter onto self-assembled monolayers "SAMs" coated particles in considerable agitated water is remarkable, because it indicates a strong interaction between the SAMs and the organic matter. At the pH of the water samples the organic compounds studied here are negatively charged, whereas, the NH2-terminated SAM is positively charged. It is therefore assumed, that the removal of the organic matter is mainly due to a strong electrostatic attraction and immobilisation of the organic matter at the surface of the particles. A very clear indication of the crucial role of the SAM is the fact that particles without SAM-coating "NO-SAM" have no influence on the organic matter as indicated by the experiments. Increasing the available surface by decreasing the grain size of the SAMs coated material significantly increases the efficiency of the removal. With SAMs coated silica powder a decrease of about two orders of magnitude of the amount of bacteria was observed after a treatment of 20 min, whereas, using coarser quartz sand a decrease of only about one order of magnitude was achieved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA473074
Entities
People
- Peter Majewski
Organizations
- University of South Australia