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Hydrodynamic tearing of bacteria on nanotips for sustainable water disinfection

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Peng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Haojie Zhu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Haobin Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Zhenbin Guo

    (Tsinghua University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Qianyuan Wu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Cheng Yang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Hong-Ying Hu

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Water disinfection is conventionally achieved by oxidation or irradiation, which is often associated with a high carbon footprint and the formation of toxic byproducts. Here, we describe a nano-structured material that is highly effective at killing bacteria in water through a hydrodynamic mechanism. The material consists of carbon-coated, sharp Cu(OH)2 nanowires grown on a copper foam substrate. We show that mild water flow (e.g. driven from a storage tank) can efficiently tear up bacteria through a high dispersion force between the nanotip surface and the cell envelope. Bacterial cell rupture is due to tearing of the cell envelope rather than collisions. This mechanism produces rapid inactivation of bacteria in water, and achieved complete disinfection in a 30-day field test. Our approach exploits fluidic energy and does not require additional energy supply, thus offering an efficient and low-cost system that could potentially be incorporated in water treatment processes in wastewater facilities and rural communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Peng & Haojie Zhu & Haobin Wang & Zhenbin Guo & Qianyuan Wu & Cheng Yang & Hong-Ying Hu, 2023. "Hydrodynamic tearing of bacteria on nanotips for sustainable water disinfection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41490-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41490-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Jenkins & J. Mantell & C. Neal & A. Gholinia & P. Verkade & A. H. Nobbs & B. Su, 2020. "Antibacterial effects of nanopillar surfaces are mediated by cell impedance, penetration and induction of oxidative stress," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Meagan S. Mauter & Ines Zucker & François Perreault & Jay R. Werber & Jae-Hong Kim & Menachem Elimelech, 2018. "The role of nanotechnology in tackling global water challenges," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(4), pages 166-175, April.
    3. Elena P. Ivanova & Jafar Hasan & Hayden K. Webb & Gediminas Gervinskas & Saulius Juodkazis & Vi Khanh Truong & Alex H.F. Wu & Robert N. Lamb & Vladimir A. Baulin & Gregory S. Watson & Jolanta A. Watso, 2013. "Bactericidal activity of black silicon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Ge Fang & Weifeng Li & Xiaomei Shen & Jose Manuel Perez-Aguilar & Yu Chong & Xingfa Gao & Zhifang Chai & Chunying Chen & Cuicui Ge & Ruhong Zhou, 2018. "Differential Pd-nanocrystal facets demonstrate distinct antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
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