Prodution of zeolite and vermiculite with zinc as filter material with bactericidal action

• Grant number: 15/11308-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2015
• End date: August 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Mirian Chieko Shinzato
• Grantee: Gabriela Baptista Girardi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The bad condition of treated water pipes systems, in many cities, can compromise the quality of the water for human consumption. One of the main problem caused by this situation is water contamination by certain bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are disease carriers. These microorganisms can be removed from water by treatment with certain metal with antibacterial action, such as zinc oxide. To realize this treatment, this study aims to test some methods for impregnate zeolite and vermiculite with zinc and analyze the ability of these minerals in acting as filters with bactericidal action. These minerals have the property to conduct ion exchange, due to the their crystal structures. Zeolite and vermiculite samples will be characterized chemically and mineralogically, and also some technological properties (specific surface area, cation exchange capacity, thermal behavior etc.) will be determined. These minerals will be used in natural and pre-treated forms to test their capacity to adsorb zinc using various techniques (in solution, melting and hydrothermal). Finally, the performance of each mineral as a bactericide will be evaluated and compared by means of Zn desorption tests in fixed bed columns, and thus simulating the use of suitable filters for residential taps.