Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012RI106B

A novel fabrication method for antibacterial membrane

Institute: Rhode Island
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2013-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $17,054 Total Non-Federal Funds: $35,080

Principal Investigators: Eugene Park, Stanley Barnett

Abstract: The goal of this project is to develop a composite material that can be used to manufacture membrane with lasting antibacterial properties. An application of special interest for such a material is for drinking water purification at regular household during power outage. The material has a multi-layer structure. Antibacterial agent-imbedded fibrous mats and commercially available membranes will be laminated together to form the product. The fibrous mat will be prepared using an electrospinning process. Different processes for active agent incorporation will be tested. The study will shed a light on how physical interactions between the active ingredient such as silver nanoparticles and the polymer fiber, and the electrospinning processing parameters affect the morphology and the distribution of the active ingredient and ultimately the antibacterial performance. The electrospun fiber will also be used to align and control the spatial distribution of antibacterial ingredients to realize the optimized mechanical and antibacterial properties.