Effects of Four Kinds of Oxide Nanoparticles on Proteins in Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Sludge.

Proteins are the most important component in sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and play a crucial role in the formation of sludge flocs, adsorption performance of sludge, and flocculation ability of sludge. This research is aimed at exploring the changes in proteins in EPS extracted from concentrated sludge after various nanoparticle (NP) treatments. The results showed that the protein content in EPS decreased by 40% after nanoalumina (AlO NPs) treatment but increased at varying degrees after nanoferric oxide (FeO NPs), nanozinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and nanotitanium dioxide (TiO NPs) treatments.