Nanoporous carbon from waste egg shells modified with copper-nanoparticles – An Efficient material for removal of microbial contaminants from polluted water

The paper examines the efficiency of nanoporous carbon modified with copper nanoparticles (nC@CuNPs) for the removal of microbial contaminants from polluted waters. The modified material was prepared by wet impregnation of the unmodified carbon material in a solution of as-prepared Cu-nanoparticles. The materials were characterized by UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric Analysis. The materials were then investigated for their ability to remove copper and lead using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), methylene blue using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy and microbial contaminants from simulated polluted water. The results showed that in addition to retaining its heavy metals (Cu and Pb), and methylene blue removal capacity, the modified material, nC@CuNPs was efficient in removing microbial contaminants (E. coli and Salmonella) from the polluted water. The study provides an avenue for the provision of easy access to a range of such water purification materials to the increasing world population and contributes towards meeting the United Nationals Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).