Investigation of the effect of nanoparticle exposure on the flocculability of activated sludge using particle image volecimetry in combination with the extended DLVO analysis

With the application of nanotechnologies, nanoparticles (NPs) may enter the wastewater collection system, threatening the operation and stability of the treatment process. The present study investigated the effect of short-term exposures of activated sludge (AS) to NPs on the sludge flocculation ability. Three types of NPs, ZnO, TiO₂ and SiO₂, were used at a concentration level of 100 mg/L for the 24-h exposure, and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology was employed to track the sludge flocculation dynamics during the tests. The results showed that a short-term exposure of the AS to NPs did not cause deterioration of the sludge in treatment performance and flocculation. According to the PIV detections, the flocculability of the AS actually was enhanced to some extent after the short-term NPs exposure. Flocs formed after the NPs exposure became more fractal with an elongated shape and a rougher surface, as a result of the improved cell attachment. The extended DLVO theory in combination with the thermodynamic analysis can be well applied to describe the enhanced AS flocculation after the NPs exposure. It is apparent that the attachment of NPs onto cells and flocs can effectively reduce the interaction energy barriers, leading to their improved flocculation ability.