Preparation of affordable and multifunctional clay-based ceramic filter matrix for treatment of drinking water

Affordable clay-based ceramic filters with multifunctional properties were prepared using low-cost and active ingredients. The characterization results clearly revealed well crystallinity, structural elucidation, extensive porosity, higher surface area, higher stability, and durability which apparently enhance the treatment efficiency. The filtration rates of ceramic filter were evaluated under gravity and the results obtained were compared with a typical gravity slow sand filter (GSSF). All ceramic filters showed significant filtration rates of about 50–180 m/h, which is comparatively higher than the typical GSSF. Further, purification efficiency of clay-based ceramic filters was evaluated by considering important drinking water parameters and contaminants. A significant removal potential was achieved by the clay-based ceramic filter with 25% and 30% activated carbon along with active agents. Desired drinking water quality parameters were achieved by potential removal of nitrite (98.5%), nitrate (80.5%), total dissolved solids (62%), total hardness (55%), total organic pollutants (89%), and pathogenic microorganisms (100%) using ceramic filters within a short duration. The remarkable purification and disinfection efficiencies were attributed to the extensive porosity (0.202 cm³ g⁻¹), surface area (124.61 m² g⁻¹), stability, and presence of active nanoparticles such as Cu, TiO₂, and Ag within the porous matrix of the ceramic filter.

以低成本活性组分制备得到兼具多功能特性的经济型黏土基陶瓷过滤器。表征结果清晰表明，该过滤器具备良好结晶度、明晰的晶体结构、丰富的孔隙结构、较高比表面积、优异稳定性与耐用性，可显著提升水处理效能。本研究通过重力过滤模式对陶瓷过滤器的过滤速率进行测试，并将结果与典型重力慢砂滤池（Gravity Slow Sand Filter，GSSF）进行对比。所有陶瓷过滤器的过滤速率可达50~180 m/h，显著高于典型重力慢砂滤池。进一步地，本研究针对关键饮用水水质参数与污染物，评估了黏土基陶瓷过滤器的净化效能。添加25%、30%活性炭及活性组分的黏土基陶瓷过滤器展现出优异的污染物去除潜力。在短时间内通过该陶瓷过滤器即可实现对亚硝酸盐（98.5%）、硝酸盐（80.5%）、总溶解固体（62%）、总硬度（55%）、总有机污染物（89%）及病原微生物（100%）的高效去除，从而达到理想的饮用水水质标准。该过滤器卓越的净化与消毒效能，源于其丰富的孔隙结构（0.202 cm³·g⁻¹）、比表面积（124.61 m²·g⁻¹）、优异稳定性，以及多孔基体中负载的铜（Cu）、二氧化钛（TiO₂）和银（Ag）等活性纳米颗粒。