Electropositive membranes
demonstrating high flux at low pressure
differentials show great promise as universal separation platforms
for viruses and other charged entities when centralized systems of
water and power are scarce. However, the fabrication of a suitably
stable membrane with optimal electrostatic characteristics remains
a challenge. Here, hydrogenated detonation nanodiamond was loaded
onto a quartz microfiber support membrane and coupled to the membrane
surface under a high vacuum annealing process. The fabricated membranes
display a zeta potential of +45 mV at pH 7 and an isoelectric point
around pH 11. We show that the nanodiamond coating is robust to prolonged
periods of pressurized water flow by performing extensive zeta potential
measurements over time, and water filtration tests demonstrated excellent
membrane retention for the electronegative dye molecule acid black
2, and at least a 6.2 log
10
reduction in MS2 bacteriophage
from feed waters (>99.9999%).
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