Microwave catalysis-enabled membrane processes for microbial inactivation

Author

Fangzhou Liu, New Jersey Institute of TechnologyFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

8-31-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering - (Ph.D.)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Wen Zhang

Second Advisor

Taha F. Marhaba

Third Advisor

Kamalesh K. Sirkar

Fourth Advisor

Lucia Rodriguez-Freire

Fifth Advisor

John Crittenden

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for advanced technologies to combat virus transmission. Traditional membrane filtration technologies primarily serve as physical barriers, capturing pollutants but failing to inactivate microbial agents such as bacteria and viruses. These membranes typically target larger particles but are ineffective against sub-micrometer viral particles. Thus, there's a critical demand for membrane filtration processes that combine robust filtration with antifouling and reaction -enabled functions for efficient pathogen disinfection. This research explores a novel microwave-assisted membrane filtration process incorporating catalytic reactions to enhance microbial disinfection and prevent membrane fouling, offering a groundbreaking solution to global challenges in providing clean and safe water and air.

To address the limitations of traditional air purification technologies, Chapter 1 reviews current air purification technologies, including ozone oxidation, UV disinfection, and photocatalysis. These reactive processes can be integrated with adsorption or filtration systems to enhance disinfection. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of various technologies, discussing their principles, applications, and limitations, and offering guidelines for developing new air purification methods to address emerging airborne contaminant issues. Building on the limitations identified in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 exploits the integration of microwave-enabled catalysis into membrane filtration for enhanced microbial disinfection. Using a model bacteriophage (MS2) as a surrogate, the study demonstrates that microwave irradiation enables surface oxidation reactions on BiFeO 3-coated catalysts, resulting in strong germicidal effects. A log removal of 2.6 for MS2 was achieved within a contact time of 20 seconds using 125 -W microwave irradiation. COMSOL simulations indicated that the catalyst surface could reach up to 305°C under these conditions, providing insights into the antiviral mechanisms of this innovative filtration process. Following the promising results in water filtration, Chapter 3 investigates the application of electromagnetic fields in air filtration. The study evaluated the inactivation performance of MS2 virus in simulated bioaerosol using an electromagnetic-assisted reactive air filtration system. A non-woven fabric filter coated with MXene (Ti3C2Tx) significantly enhanced viral removal efficiency, achieving a log removal of 3.4 under a 300-kHz electromagnetic field. COMSOL simulations examined potential transmission trajectories of bioaerosols, providing insights into pathogen control mechanisms and promoting alternative solutions for preventing airborne pathogen transmission. Chapter 4 outlines the development and commercialization of a microwave-enabled air filtration system designed to address public health concerns. A prototype demonstrated at the NJIT fitness center showed high -efficiency pathogen inactivation. This technology offers promising solutions for improving air quality in medical facilities, public transport, and other settings. The chapter emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced air sterilization and purification technologies in enclosed environments and calls for more comprehensive studies on the interaction between microwave irradiation and microorganisms to optimize microwave technology for public health protection.

Recommended Citation

Liu, Fangzhou, "Microwave catalysis-enabled membrane processes for microbial inactivation" (2024). Dissertations. 1778.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/1778