Efficiency of Chitosan/Graphene oxide Nanocomposite for Improvement of Water Quality

Abstract

The pollution of water became an international concern. Regardless which purpose water is used, it should not be contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms or harmful heavy metals. Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) have been considered potential antibacterial agents effective against a large variety of microorganisms. In addition to graphene oxide which plays a critical role in removal of heavy metals beside its antimicrobial activity. The biocompatible polymer mixed with the GO NPs led to low cytotoxicity on human cells, uniform size and excellent stability. This research mentions a critical estimation of the contribution of the mixed GO\CS nanomaterials in water treatment and analyze the physical, chemical and microbiological properties of surface water taken from several sites in Egypt (temperature, pH, turbidity, ammonia, Phosphorous. aeruginosa, Vibrio, and Flavobacterium) and thus improve these values using the nanocomposite. Water examination were done by chemical and heavy metal examination by ICP-OES elemental analysis technique and bacteriological examination of water and fish samples by a molecular identification of isolated bacteria through PCR and sequencing. GO\CS nanocomposite have been prepared by mixing the aqueous solution of chitosan and graphene oxide in the present of diluted acetic acid and the characterization of nanomaterial achieved by using TEM. The water examination was conducted and the result shows that samples were contaminated with Cu, Cd, and Zn. Graphene oxide and Chitosan nanocomposite was successfully prepared and added to the water sample which contains Staph.spp., Pseudomonous spp. And Aeromonas spp. And the heavy metals. The composite showed a positive result in the elimination and removal of water contaminant.