Removing Escherichia Coli from Water Using Zinc Oxide-Coated Zeolite

The removal of Escherichia coli (E.?coli) from water by zinc oxide-coated zeolite (ZOCZ) and ZOCZ's antibacterial properties were examined in laboratory experiments using plate counting method and tests of cell apoptosis. Batch experiments showed that ZOCZ has a maximum removal capacity for E.?coli of about 4.34?×?10(6)?CFU?g(-1)?at 25?°C. Element mappings confirm that zinc ions accumulate in the E.?coli cells causing cell death. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich isotherms were found to best describe the removal of E.?coli, suggesting that a multilayer of E.?coli cells forms on the surface of ZOCZ particles.