Removal of Cryptosporidium parvum by silica coated with functionalized self-assembled monolayers.

This study focuses a novel method to remove the human pathogens cryptosporidium parvum from water by silica particles coated with functionalized self-assembled monolayers. The results of this investigation clearly show that the pathogen can efficiently and completely be removed at pH ranges of drinking water by stirring the coated particles in the contaminated water for up to 60 min and finally filtrating the powder. The removal is believed to be caused by electrostatic attraction and immobilization of pathogen on the surface of the particles. At higher pH vales, even chemisorption may occur.