Au@Sio2@PVP-DCMD Membranes: A Breakthrough in Heavy Metal Removal and Antibacterial Defense

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 03 | Page : 13 27
    By

    Sufyana Idrees,

  • Aneeqa Sabah,

  • Mohsin Nazir,

  • Whied ul Hussan Shahzad,

  • Aneela Sabbir,

  • Sahar Tasleem,

  1. PhD Scholar, Department of Physics, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, , Pakistan
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, , Pakistan
  3. Chairperson, Department of Software Engineering, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, , Pakistan
  4. PhD Scholar, Department of Industrial biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore, , Pakistan
  5. Associate Professor, Department of Polymer Engineering, Punjab University, Lahore, , Pakistan
  6. PhD Scholar, Department of Physics, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, , Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the development and characterization of multifunctional gold-doped silica (Au@SiO₂) membranes for water distillation and antibacterial applications. The manufacturing process integrated gold nanoparticles into silica matrices using sol-gel techniques. Structural analysis was conducted using SEM (showing uniform pore distribution with an average pore size of 40-50 nm), FTIR (confirming Si-O-Si and Si-Au-Si bonding peaks at 525 cm⁻¹ and 1310 cm⁻¹ respectively), EDX (revealing gold nanoparticle content of 1.5 wt%), and UV-Visible spectroscopy (indicating an optical band gap decrease from 2.6 eV to 1.8 eV). Permeation tests demonstrated a water vapor transport rate of 3.2 kg/m²h, with heavy metal rejection rates exceeding 99.5% for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. Antibacterial efficacy was validated through microbial assays, showing a reduction of bacterial colonies by 98% for K. pneumoniae and 96% for S. aureus. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that doping with gold led to a 1.2 eV reduction in the band gap, a 15% decrease in total stress, increases in elastic modulus and thermal conductivity, a 20% rise in bond energy, and an 18% increase in potential energy. The large ionic radius of gold prevented its incorporation into the silica matrix, as supported by experimental data. These results highlight the potential of (Au@SiO₂) membranes in achieving energy-efficient water distillation and effective antibacterial performance, marking a significant advancement in water purification technology.

Keywords: Au@SiO₂ membranes, saline water separation, heavy metal rejection, material studio (DFT), pathogenic bacteria.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer and Composites ]

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How to cite this article:
Sufyana Idrees, Aneeqa Sabah, Mohsin Nazir, Whied ul Hussan Shahzad, Aneela Sabbir, Sahar Tasleem. Au@Sio2@PVP-DCMD Membranes: A Breakthrough in Heavy Metal Removal and Antibacterial Defense. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(03):13-27.
How to cite this URL:
Sufyana Idrees, Aneeqa Sabah, Mohsin Nazir, Whied ul Hussan Shahzad, Aneela Sabbir, Sahar Tasleem. Au@Sio2@PVP-DCMD Membranes: A Breakthrough in Heavy Metal Removal and Antibacterial Defense. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(03):13-27. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=208866


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 03
Received 20/01/2025
Accepted 08/02/2025
Published 30/03/2025
Publication Time 69 Days
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