Novel avenues for achieving simultaneous high-efficiency oil removal and sterilization: Designing a quaternary ammonium-hydrophobic ternary template copolymer

In treating complex sewage containing microorganisms, flocculation and disinfection typically occur as distinct stages, involving the addition of flocculants and disinfectants separately. To integrate oil removal and disinfection, a novel quaternary ammonium-hydrophobic ternary template polymer, TPAMA-DA, was engineered with capabilities for both flocculation and sterilization functions. Optimal copolymer characteristics were determined through Response Surface Methodology of the preparation parameters for TPAMA-DA. The copolymer prepared was applied to model wastewater, and the results indicate that, in emulsified oil and E. coli single systems, TPAMA-DA achieved removal rates of 95.71 % and 97.19 % for emulsified oil and OD600 (residual OD600 = 0.0239), respectively, showcasing superior oil removal and antibacterial capabilities compared to TPAMA and PAMA. Meanwhile, TPAMA-DA exhibited excellent oil removal efficiency across a broad range of pH environments, contrasting sharply with its pH-sensitive antibacterial properties. Surprisingly, applying TPAMA-DA to the oil-E. coli binary systems, it not only maintained high efficiency in oil removal but also showed certain pH adaptability in antibacterial activity, suggesting TPAMA-DA’s outstanding ability for simultaneous oil removal and antibacterial action in oil-E. coli binary systems. Impressively, SEM and 3D-EEM analyses confirm that TPAMA-DA disrupts the bacterial cell, resulting in the death of E. coli. These findings may pave the way for new avenues in the development of multi-functional, efficient, low-consumption, and environmentally friendly high-performance copolymers with dual capabilities for oil removal and sterilization.