American Journal of Materials Science 2017, 7(6): 232-239 DOI: 10.5923/j.materials.20170706.02 Ceramic Filters Impregnated with Silver Nanoparticles for Household Drinking Water Treatment Ahmed A. Moosa * , Maryam F. Muhsen Department of Materials Engineering Technology, Engineering Technical College-Baghdad, Middle Technical University Baghdad, Iraq Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from biological materials (Ziziphus plant) under microwave irradiation and later theses AgNPs were used for the reduction of microbial effect in water. Fourier Transformation infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize AgNPs. Process parameters that affect the AgNPs synthesis, such as AgNO 3 concentration, microwave exposure time, amount of extract volume and pH of the solution were also studied. The best average diameter of AgNPs (80 nm) showed by AFM. Ceramic filter and tablets were prepared from local Iraqi clay which is mixed with different combustible material (date palm seed, sawdust and charcoal). The maximum apparent porosity (50.52% porosity) was obtained at a mixing ratio of clay: charcoal of 10:4. Total Bacteria Count (TBC) was measured in the filtered water and gave a result of 0.001 CFU/ml which shows that silver nanoparticles have excellent antimicrobial activity. Keywords Ceramic filter, Silver Nanoparticles, Green synthesis, Ziziphus Spina Christi, AFM, Ceramic tablets 1. Introduction Safe drinking water and sanitation are fundamental to health, survival, growth and development (Montgomery and Elimelech 2007) [1]. However, these basic necessities are still a luxury for many people worldwide. Over 1.1 billion of world citizens do not use safe drinking water, while 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation. In the developing countries, millions suffer from preventable illnesses and die every year because of the lacking of water and sanitation services (WHO: Geneva 2006) [2]. An estimated 1.8 million deaths occur each year because of a lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and proper hygiene, of which 99.8% occur in developing countries and 90% are children (Nath et al. 2006) [3]. These deaths can be reduced with proper infrastructure and education. Water is certainly the most valuable natural resource, encompass over 70% of the earth’s surface. Nevertheless, the demand for clean water is a worldwide, whether it is for human consumption, agricultural uses, or industrial uses (Cicek 2003) [4]. The United Nation Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2002, stressed the issue of water and sanitation on the global agenda. The MDG vision is to reduce halve the number of people without access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 50% by the year 2015 * Corresponding author: ahmeda1752@yahoo.com (Ahmed A. Moosa) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/materials Copyright © 2017 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved (WHO and UNICEF 2010) [5]. But up to date over half a billion people worldwide still lack access to drinking water from improved sources. Ceramic water filters manufactured with local labor using clay and a combustible organic material are one of the most promising point-of-use water-treatment technologies. The-pot-shaped filter is placed in a larger, plastic container with a spigot to also provide a safe-storage reservoir (Kallaman et al. 2011) [6]. Green synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts is a cost effective method, environment friendly, and no toxic chemicals used (Thakkar et al. 2010) [7]. Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using various plants. (Moosa et al., 2015) [8] used spent tea leaves extract to synthesizing AgNps which was confirmed by changing their color to dark brown due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon. (Moosa et al., 2015) [9] synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Aloe Vera plant leaves extract act as reducing and stabilizing agent. The aim of this work is to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis methods using Ziziphus Spina Christi leaves extract as a common Iraqi plant. Different parameters that affect the AgNPs preparation such as temperature, pH, AgNO 3 and plant extract concentrations will be studied. To make ceramic water filter from Iraqi clay using different percentage of burnable materials such as (rice husk, sawdust or others) and study the porosity, water flow of these ceramic water filters. And make ceramic tablets from Iraqi clay and then impregnate these tablets with silver nanopaticles.