preparation of silver nano-particles and use as a material for water sterilization

High dispersed nanodimensional silver metal (nanosilver) solution of concentration ranging from 40 to 400 mg/L was prepared from silver nitrate in water media with and without dispersing reagent. The reduction process was initiated by ammonium hydroxide and glucose was used as a reductive reagent. The nanosilver solution was characterized by color changing from light-yellow to yellow, brown, red-brown, brown-green, dark-green, blue, dark-blue and those were depending on silver concentration and dimension of silver metal particles. The nanosilver solution was possibly used as a direct sterilizing reagent or coating on calcinated laterite grains to create sterilizing material in bacterial removing filter. Direct sterilization ability of nanosilver solution and nanosilver coated material was investigated. The results showed that with 10 ppb nanosilver in supplied water, all bacteria will be removed within 25–30 min. 10 mm thick layer of silica gel or 20 mm of calcinated laterite coated nanosilver could remove all bacteria in water flowed though with maximum flow rate of 100 L.m2/min. Moreover, sterilizing material was nontoxic and applicable for drinking water production.