Biofouling remains to be one of major obstacles in membrane bioreactors (MBRs), calling for the development of antibiofouling membranes. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), being a kind of broad spectrum bactericidal agent, have been widely used for modifying membrane; however, uncontrollable release of AgNPs and thus a short lifetime of modified membranes are thorny issues for the AgNPs-modified membranes. In this study, silica nanopollens were used as AgNPs nanocarriers for membrane modification (ASNP-M), which could improve silver delivery efficacy, avoid agglomeration and control Ag⁺ release towards bacteria. At a silver loading of 107.7 ± 10.9 μg Ag/cm², ASNP-M effectively inhibited growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with an Ag⁺ release rate of 0.5 μg/(cm² d). Long-term MBR tests showed that ASNP-M exhibited a significantly reduced transmembrane pressure increase rate of 0.88 ± 0.34 kPa/d which was much lower than that of two control membranes, i.e., pristine membrane (M0) (2.32 ± 0.86 kPa/d) and Ag@silica nanospheres (without spikes) modified membrane (ASNS-M) (2.25 ± 1.28 kPa/d). No significant adverse influences on the pollutant removal were also observed in the reactor. Foulants analysis revealed that biofilm of ASNP-M was thinner and comprised of mainly dead cells, and only organic matter with strong adhesion properties was allowed to attach onto the membrane surface. Bacterial community analysis suggested that the incorporation of Ag@silica nanopollens inhibited colonization of bacteria which are capable of causing membrane biofouling (e.g., Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria). These findings highlight the potential of the antibiofouling membrane to be used in MBRs for wastewater treatment and reclamation.

生物污染仍然是膜生物反应器（MBR）的主要障碍之一，要求开发抗生物污染膜。银纳米颗粒（AgNPs）是一种广谱杀菌剂，已被广泛用于膜的改性。然而，AgNPs的释放失控，从而导致改性膜寿命短是AgNPs改性膜的棘手问题。在这项研究中，二氧化硅纳米花粉被用作膜修饰的AgNPs纳米载体（ASNP-M），可以提高银的输送效率，避免团聚并控制Ag ⁺向细菌的释放。在107.7± 10.9μgAg / cm ²的银负载下，ASNP-M有效抑制大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长，Ag ⁺释放速率为0.5μg/（cm ²d）。长期的MBR测试表明，ASNP-M的跨膜压力升高速率显着降低，为0.88±0.34 kPa / d，远低于两种质控膜（M0）（2.32±0.86 kPa / d）。 ）和Ag @二氧化硅纳米球（无尖峰）改性膜（ASNS-M）（2.25±1.28 kPa / d）。在反应器中也未观察到对污染物去除的显着不利影响。污垢分析表明，ASNP-M的生物膜较薄，主要由死细胞组成，只有具有强粘附性的有机物才可以附着在膜表面。细菌群落分析表明，掺入Ag @二氧化硅纳米花粉会抑制细菌的定殖，这些细菌能够引起膜生物污染（例如，变形杆菌）和放线菌）。这些发现凸显了防污膜在MBR中用于废水处理和再生的潜力。