4. Conclusions
In this work, thin films of PAH and PAA with AgNPs were produced and characterized with the goal of developing a new
material for use as a bactericidal agent in the treatment of an industrial wastewater.
In general, the incorporation of AgNPs in the thin
films was
dependent upon the pH of the solutions of the polyelectrolytes.
According to the results of characterization, thin
film (8 4 4)
presented a higher amount of silver and exhibited the highest
bactericidal activity against the E. coli.
Furthermore, the treatment of industrial wastewater using thin
film (8 4 4) reduced the total count of coliforms by 93%. Finally,
considering the satisfactory bactericidal activity, the ease of
application, the low environmental impact, and the possibility
of reutilization, the thin
films developed in this work have great
potential to be used as a mean to enhance the removal of coliform
bacteria from industrial wastewaters.