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Polymers as Water Disinfectants

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Polymeric Materials for Clean Water

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials ((SSPCM))

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Abstract

Today, microbial infection appeared as one of the most critical environmental pollutions from our water stream. Indeed, the rising of public awareness for water pollution and water security has urged both researchers and industries to develop cost-effective antimicrobial polymer system. Although a range of polymers have antimicrobial properties, the most frequently studied polymer for water disinfection is chitosan. It offers several advantages, including biodegradable, non-toxic in nature, biocompatible and inexpensive, as compared to other low molecular weight antimicrobial polymers. In general, low molecular weight antimicrobial agents suffer several disadvantages, such as toxicity to the environment and short-term antimicrobial ability. Moreover, using chitosan biopolymer could enhance the efficacy of some existing antimicrobial agents and antifungal agents and minimize the environmental problems. In this chapter, the brief introduction of chitosan as well as modified chitosan on the development of water disinfection is extensively discussed. In particular, this chapter discusses the physicochemical properties of chitosan and different synthesis approaches for chitosan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya (UM), 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Chin Wei Lai, Kian Mun Lee, Bey Fen Leo, Christelle Pau Ping Wong & Soon Weng Chong

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  1. Chin Wei Lai
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  2. Kian Mun Lee
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  3. Bey Fen Leo
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  4. Christelle Pau Ping Wong
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  5. Soon Weng Chong
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Correspondence to Chin Wei Lai .

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  1. Chemical Engineering, Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany

    Rasel Das

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Lai, C.W., Lee, K.M., Leo, B.F., Wong, C.P.P., Chong, S.W. (2019). Polymers as Water Disinfectants. In: Das, R. (eds) Polymeric Materials for Clean Water. Springer Series on Polymer and Composite Materials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00743-0_7

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