WO2025054592A1

WO2025054592A1 - Filter media with microbiological reduction capabilities

Info

Publication number: WO2025054592A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/045818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Indumathi Ramakrishnan; Steven Woltornist; Amy FOLLWEILER; Zachary Kelly; Andrew KOUTRAKOS
Original assignee: Kx Technologies, Llc
Priority date: 2023-09-07
Filing date: 2024-09-09
Publication date: 2025-03-13

Abstract

Methods of fabricating treated filtration media for enhanced removal of antimicrobials, the resultant treated water filtration media made from such methods, and methods of removing microbial materials/ agents from water using the resultant treated water filtration media. The treated filtration media of the invention at least includes fibrillated cellulose fiber treated with a silane quat microbiological interception enhancing agent to render silane quat treated fibrillated cellulose fibers having a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water and/or air. The silane quaternary ammonium compounds are strongly covalently bonded to the cellulose fibers to prevent leaching into water/air to extend life and use of the present cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media.

Description

FILTER MEDIA WITH MICROBIOLOGICAL REDUCTION CAPABILITIES

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to treated filter media and, more particularly, to methods of making treated water filtration media, the resultant treated water filtration media, methods of removing microbes in water using said treated water filtration media, and methods of protecting water filtration media from microbial growth.

Description of Related Art

[0002] It has become common practice to filter water prior to use as it may contain various contaminants, such as particulates, harmful chemicals, and microbiological organisms, such as bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and viruses. Many filtration or purification systems exist for removing these contaminants by distillation, ion-exchange, chemical adsorption, and/or capturing filtered particles through use of membranes or layers of granular materials. While particulate capture may be efficiently removed through use of filter media having predefined pore size, capture and/or removal of microbiological organisms has been more challenging.

[0003] Prior art filtration systems are aimed at microbiological treatment or removal using microbiological interception enhancing agents. One class of well-known microbiological interception enhancing agents comprise cationic polymers. These agents are deposited on either carbon block or fiber filters. Use of these treated carbon block or fiber filters has exhibited good microbiological interception for water purification. However, there are problems associated with use of some of these agents. [0004] One disadvantage of using cationic polymeric materials is that they are generally water soluble. This leads to major losses in production of the filter media. Additionally, the agent can continue to leach out into the effluent water during filter use, decreasing effectivity over time. These are the general areas that embodiments of the invention are intended to address.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods of fabricating treated water filtration media for enhanced removal of antimicrobials without the use water soluble cationic polymers.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide treated water filtration media having enhanced capabilities for removal of antimicrobials from water or air.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods of removing antimicrobial materials/agents from water using the various treated water filtration media of the invention.

[0008] Other objects of the invention are to provide methods of treating water filtration media, the resultant treated water filtration media, and methods of removing antimicrobial materials/agents from water in a cost effective and efficient manner.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the invention is directed to method of fabricating treated filtration media for enhanced removal of antimicrobials by providing at least cellulose fibers and applying a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a silane quaternary ammonium compound thereto. The cellulose fibers are then dried to covalently bond the silane quaternary ammonium compound to the cellulose fibers to render silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers having a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water or air.

[0010] In various embodiments of the invention the filtration media may further comprise carbon particles, and still further additional materials such as inactive materials, active materials, and a combination of inactive and active materials. In the invention, during the drying step, the silane quaternary ammonium compound binds to surfaces of the cellulose fibers and within pores of the cellulose fibers. Drying may be carried out at room temperature, or under temperatures ranging from about 150°C to about 160°C for up to about 5 minutes.

[0011] In accordance with various embodiments, the silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers may be fabricated into a structural form after treatment. In other embodiments, the cellulose fibers are fabricated into a structural form, and then such formed structure is treated with the silane quaternary ammonium compound to render the silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers residing in said structural form. For instance, the cellulose fibers may be fabricated as a filter media paper. Such a filter media paper may include fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, or activated carbon particles.

[0012] Suitable cellulose fibers for use in the invention include cellulose-based fibers and/or fibrillated cellulose fibers. Fibrillated fibers may have diameters as small as 50 nanometers, and/or they may be formed into a filter media paper prior to silane quaternary ammonium compound treatment using a wet laid process. The cellulose fibers may have diameters ranging from about 10 microns to about 30 microns. The microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a silane quaternary ammonium compound may be applied to the cellulose fibers by dipping, spraying, or dry powder impregnation, and in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of said untreated cellulose fibers.

[0013] In the various embodiments, the silane quaternary ammonium compound may be 3- (trimethoxy silyl) propyl dimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3 -(trihydroxy silyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl [chloride, or 1 -OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-

{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride. In the invention, the strongly bonded silane quaternary ammonium compound to cellulose fibers prevents leaching into water thereby extending life and use of the silane quaternary ammonium treated filtration media.

[0014] In other embodiments the invention is directed to methods of fabricating treated filtration paper for enhanced removal of antimicrobials by providing a fibrillated cellulose fiber containing filter media paper, and applying a silane quat microbiological interception enhancing agent to at least a surface thereof. This renders treated filer media paper which is heated to a temperature up to about 160°C for up to about 5 minutes to covalently bond the silane quat to the fibrillated cellulose fibers, thereby rendering silane quat treated fibrillated cellulose fibers having a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water or air. The silane quat prevents microbiological growth on the filter media paper while simultaneously removing negatively charged contaminates. The silane quat may be applied to the fibrillated cellulose fibers in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of said untreated cellulose fibers.

[0015] In still other embodiments the invention is directed to functionalized cellulose-containing filtration media for removing bacteria and virus from water that comprises a filter media paper having fibrillated cellulose fibers with a silane quat microbiological interception enhancing agent covalently bonded to surfaces thereof providing a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water. The silane quat prevents microbiological growth on the filter media paper while simultaneously removing negatively charged contaminates. The filter media paper may further include inactive materials and/or active materials, as well as fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, or activated carbon particles. The silane quat may be present on the fibers in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of the untreated cellulose fibers. In various embodiments the silane quat on the filter media paper may be 3- (trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl} chloride, or 1 -OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-

{ 3 (trihy droxy silyl)propyl } chloride.

[0016] Still further the invention is directed to methods of removing microbial materials using a functionalized cellulose-containing filtration media and/or methods of protecting water filtration media from microbial growth. These methods include providing a cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media and contacting it to a contaminated fluid stream, whereby negatively charged contaminates in the fluid stream are attracted and attach to the cationic charge on the fibrillated cellulose fibers for removal of said contaminates from the fluid stream. The contaminated fluid stream may be a microbiological contaminated fluid stream, whereby the silane quat deters the microbiological contaminate from contacting and growing on surfaces of the treated filtration media. The treated media of the invention may be used to treat contaminated water and/or contaminated air. The silane quat simultaneously prevents microbiological growth on the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media, as well as kills microbiological contaminates. The strong bonds between the silane quat and fibrillated cellulose fibers prevents leaching into water/air, thereby extending life and use of the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media.

[0017] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a charged quaternary nitrogen of silane quat attached to a filter media substrate electrostatically attracting a negatively charged microorganism in accordance with the invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 illustrates a cellulose-containing filter paper disk treated with a silane quat in accordance with the invention.

[0021] Fig. 3 illustrates comparative test results of a cellulose-containing filter paper disk treated with a silane quat in accordance with the invention as compared to the prior art.

[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates a silane quat treated filter in accordance with the invention. [0023] Fig. 5 illustrates a reaction treatment of cellulose in accordance with the invention using 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl}chloride.

[0024] Fig. 6 illustrates a reaction treatment of cellulose in accordance with the invention using 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride .

[0025] Fig. 7 illustrates comparative test results for removal of bacteria and virus from drinking water using a silane quat treated cellulose filter paper in accordance with the invention as compared to prior art filter papers.

Mode(s) For Carrying Out Invention

[0026] In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to Figs. 1-7 of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the features and/or steps described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein or would otherwise be appreciated by one of skills in the art. It is to be understood that all concentrations disclosed herein are by weight percent (wt. %.) based on a total weight of the composition or formulations being made, unless otherwise indicated.

[0028] In accordance with the various embodiments, the invention is directed to methods of fabricating treated water filtration media for enhanced removal of antimicrobials, the resultant treated water filtration media made from such methods, and methods of removing microbial materials/agents from water using the resultant treated water filtration media. The invention is also directed to methods of protecting water filtration media from microbial growth by treating filtration media with microbiological interception enhancing agents that destroy, kill and/or deter microbes and/or microbiological from contacting and/or growing on surfaces of filtration media and the materials comprising such filtration media.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the invention is directed to treating filtration media with a microbiological interception enhancing agent that is based on a silane quaternary ammonium compound (“silane quat”). Silane quats are a group of compounds having antibacterial and antiviral properties that interact electrostatically with negatively charged contaminant cell membrane surfaces of bacteria, viruses, microbes, microbiologicals, etc. Once bound to such cell membranes, the silane quat may also disrupt the cell leading to the death of the microbe.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, filtration media is treated with a silane quat compound to functionalize the filtration media by providing it with a cationic charge for attraction of negatively charged contaminates (e.g., bacteria, microbes, microbiological organisms, viruses, etc.) in water (e.g., drinking water). The filter media may be individual particles or fibers, or alternatively, may be individual particles or fibers fabricated into a structural form. For instance, in one or more embodiments of the invention the filter media may be filter media paper. Various particles and/or fibers may be used as the filter media, or used to fabricate the resultant filter structure, including for instance fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, activated carbon particles, cellulose fibers, cellulose-based fibers, and the like.

[0031] In accordance with one or more embodiments, the filter media comprises at least cellulose fibers and/or cellulose-based fibers, which have been found to be difficult to treat. For instance, prior art has been aimed at providing cationic modifications to cellulose and/or cellulose-based fibers by treating cellulose material with a cationic polymer (Poly DADMAC). However, while Poly DADMAC provides microbiological reduction capabilities, it is highly soluble leading to a significant loss of applied Poly DADMAC material during processing, making it an inefficient treatment material.

[0032] In one or more embodiments the filter media comprises a filter media paper composed of at least cellulose, along with one or more additional active or inactive materials. The cellulose may have fiber diameters between 10 and 30 microns, and as small as 50 nanometers in diameter. The cellulose fibers may be fibrillated cellulose fibers having diameters as small as 50 nanometers. The use of fibrillated cellulose fibers with smaller fiber diameters provides a larger relative pore area for a given pore size, and most of the fibrils remain connected to the core fiber thereby reducing material loss. The use of fibrillated fibers also dramatically increases the surface area of the fi lter media, thus enhancing microbial interception. The fibrillated cellulose fibers may be formed into a filter media paper using a wet laid process to yield a uniform filter paper. For instance, suitable filter media paper for use in the invention may include FACT® filter media.

[0033] In accordance with the invention, the cellulose-containing fibers of the invention are treated with a silane quat compound to functionalize such fibers as well as the resultant product. In one or more embodiments the cellulose filter media is a cellulose-containing filter media paper that is treated with a silane quat compound to functionalize at least the cellulose fibers and provide the filter paper with antimicrobial properties for both protecting the filter paper itself from microbial contamination, as well as to remove antimicrobial contaminates in water that has been filtered through such silane quat treated filter paper.

[0034] The silane quat material may be provided onto the cellulose or cellulose-containing fibers, or on the cellulose-containing filter media paper, via dip, spray, or dry powder impregnation methods. In one or more embodiments the silane quat material is sprayed onto the formed cellulose-containing filter media paper. The amount of deposited silane quat to media ranges from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a weight of dry untreated media. Once the silane quat is deposited, the treated material is preferably subjected to heat treatment to encourage a reaction between the media and the silane quat. During this reaction the labile groups bound to silicon undergo hydrolysis followed by condensation to oligomers. These oligomers then form hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups present on the filter media. As the filter media paper/substrate dries under applied heat, a covalent bond or linkage forms between the filter media and the silane quat due to loss of water/condensation. The steps of hydrogen bonding, drying and covalent bonding may occur simultaneously or separately. The silane quat treated cellulose media/paper may be heat dried at temperatures up to about 160°C, for about 5 minutes, to accelerate the functionalization reaction. It is important to note, however, that lower temperatures may be used with longer reaction times.

[0035] In accordance with the invention, silane quats are composed of a molecule having the following basic parts: (1) a silane base for covalent bonding to surfaces, and (2) a centrally located positively charged nitrogen component that electrostatically attracts negatively charged microbes. Some silane quats also contain (3) a long chain ‘spear’ consisting of a hydrocarbon chain that contributes to microbial deactivation. Referring to Fig. 1, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the silane quat l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride was applied to cellulose-containing filter paper/media via dip impregnation, and then dried/cured for at least 5 minutes at about 160°C. As shown in the diagram the charged quaternary nitrogen of the silane quat electrostatically attracts the negatively charged microorganism. [0036] Suitable silane quats for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, 3- (trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (a concentrated silane quat), 3- (trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (a diluted or hydrolyzed silane quat), l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl}chloride, 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride, and the like. In one or more preferred embodiments, the silane quat may be l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride. In accordance with the various embodiments of the invention, suitable silane quats of the invention have the general reactant molecule structure we propose is as follows:

With

Ri = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy

R2 = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy

R3 = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy n = 1 to 20 R₄ = H, alkyl R₅ = H, alkyl Re = H, alkyl

X = F, Cl, Br, or I

Ri, R2, and R3 are generally substituted after the reaction yielding bonds to the cellulose (or other anchor points on the fdter media) or bonds to other silane quat molecules.

[0037] Referring to the drawings, a 47 mm cellulose-containing filter paper disk was treated with l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3 (trimethoxy silyl)propyl} chloride aqueous solution (Fig. 2), and efficacy testing performed thereon. Further comparative microbiological efficacy testing data of cellulose-containing silane quat treated filter media of the invention is also shown in Fig. 3. These results demonstrate the effective results and performance of the present silane quat treated filter media for removal of bacteria and virial load as compared to prior art filter media. Fig 7 shows more comparative test results for removal of bacteria and virus from drinking water using a silane quat treated cellulose filter paper in accordance with the invention as compared to prior art filter papers. An exemplary silane treated filter of the invention, such as that tested in the results demonstrated in Fig. 3, is shown in Fig. 4, which comprises a pleated filter paper treated with 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl (chloride aqueous solution.

[0038] Figs. 5 and 6 show the reaction treatment of cellulose in accordance with the invention using l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl}chloride and 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride, respectively. In the invention, it has been found that by cationically binding a silane quat compound to cellulose or a cellulose-containing product (e.g., filter paper) provides superior antimicrobial protection to the product as compared to prior art poly DADMAC approaches, as well as in the case of silane treated filter paper, effectively removes microbial organisms and/or virus from water filtered therethrough.

[0039] Unlike that of the poly DADMAC applied material, which is easily soluble in water, the strong covalent bonds of the silane quat prevent leaching into water thereby extending life and use of the silane treated filter or product. That is, the silane quat material is covalently bonded at least to the cellulose fiber, as well as other materials within the filter paper or product (e.g., carbon), whereby these covalent bonds result in minimal leaching, if any at all. As such, the risk or concern of potential by-products in the filter effluent is minimized or all together eliminated. This minimal leaching also prevents loss of charge during the life of the filter. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, a higher overall charge density load may be applied to the cellulose or cellulose-containing product to provide a higher charge density and render enhanced microbiological capture, kill, and reduction in effluent water running through the silane treated water filter. In the invention, it has been found that application of silane quat compounds to a cellulose-containing filter paper not only prevents microbiological growth on the filter, it also unexpectedly removes bacteria and virus from the effluent water providing a persistent reduction of microbes in drinking water without significant leaching.

[0040] While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0041] Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of fabricating treated filtration media for enhanced removal of antimicrobials comprising: providing at least cellulose fibers; applying a microbiological interception enhancing agent comprising a silane quaternary ammonium compound to the at least cellulose fibers; and covalently bonding the silane quaternary ammonium compound to the cellulose fibers by drying the cellulose fibers to render silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers having a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water or air.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the filtration media further comprises carbon particles.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the filtration media further comprises additional materials selected from the group consisting of inactive materials, active materials, and a combination of inactive and active materials.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein during the step of during drying, the silane quaternary ammonium compound binds to surfaces of the cellulose fibers and within pores of the cellulose fibers.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of drying is carried out at room temperature.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of drying is carried under heated conditions having temperatures ranging from about 150°C to about 160°C for up to about 5 minutes.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers are fabricated into a structural form after treatment.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least cellulose fibers are fabricated into a structural form prior to treatment with the silane quaternary ammonium compound to render the silane quaternary ammonium compound treated cellulose fibers residing in said structural form.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least cellulose fibers are fabricated as a filter media paper.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the filter media paper further includes fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, or activated carbon particles.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fibers comprise cellulose-based fibers.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fibers comprise fibrillated cellulose fibers.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the fibrillated cellulose fibers have diameters as small as 50 nanometers.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the fibrillated cellulose fibers are formed into a filter media paper prior to silane quaternary ammonium compound treatment using a wet laid process.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose fibers have diameters ranging from about 10 microns to about 30 microns.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the microbiological interception enhancing agent is applied to the cellulose fibers by dipping, spraying, or dry powder impregnation.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the microbiological interception enhancing agent is applied to the cellulose fibers in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of said untreated cellulose fibers.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the silane quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of 3 -(trimethoxy silyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3- (trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N- dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl (chloride, and l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- { 3 (trihydroxy silyl)propyl } chloride .

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the silane quaternary ammonium compound is 1- OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl(chloride.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the silane quaternary ammonium compound is 1-

OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl}chloride.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the silane quaternary ammonium compound has a reactant molecule structure comprising

With

Ri = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy

R-2 = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy

Rs = hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, or propoxy n = 1 to 20

R₄ = H, alkyl

R₅ = H, alkyl

Re = H, alkyl

X = F, Cl, Br, or I.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein strong covalent bonds of the silane quaternary ammonium compound to the cellulose fibers prevent leaching into water thereby extending life and use of the silane quaternary ammonium treated filtration media.

23. A method of fabricating treated filtration paper for enhanced removal of antimicrobials comprising: providing a filter media paper at least containing fibrillated cellulose fibers; applying a silane quat microbiological interception enhancing agent to at least a surface of the filter media paper to render a treated filter media paper; heating the treated filter media paper to a temperature up to about 160°C for up to about 5 minutes to covalently bond the silane quat at least to the fibrillated cellulose fibers to render silane quat treated fibrillated cellulose fibers having a cationic charge for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water or air.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the silane quat is applied to the filter media paper by dipping or spraying.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the silane quat prevents microbiological growth on the filter media paper while simultaneously removing negatively charged contaminates.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the filter media paper further includes materials selected from the group consisting of inactive materials, active materials, and a combination of inactive and active materials.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the filter media paper further includes fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, or activated carbon particles.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein the fibrillated cellulose fibers have diameters down to about

50 nanometers.

29. The method of claim 23 wherein the silane quat is applied to the fibrillated cellulose fibers in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of said untreated cellulose fibers.

30. The method of claim 23 wherein the silane quat is selected from the group consisting of 3-

(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl} chloride, and l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-

{ 3 (trihy droxy silyl)propyl } chloride.

31. A functionalized cellulose-containing filtration media for removing bacteria and virus from water comprising: a filter media paper at least containing fibrillated cellulose fibers; a silane quat microbiological interception enhancing agent covalently bonded at least to surfaces of the fibrillated cellulose fibers and providing a cationic charge thereto for removal of negatively charged contaminates from water.

32. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the silane quat prevents microbiological growth on the filter media paper while simultaneously removing negatively charged contaminates.

33. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the filter media paper further includes materials selected from the group consisting of inactive materials, active materials, and a combination of inactive and active materials.

34. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the filter media paper further includes fiber pulp, fibrillated fibers, carbon, or activated carbon particles.

35. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the fibrillated cellulose fibers have diameters down to about 50 nanometers.

36. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the silane quat is present on the fibrillated cellulose fibers in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 25 wt.% based on a dry weight of said untreated cellulose fibers.

37. The filtration media of claim 31 wherein the silane quat is selected from the group consisting of 3 -(trimethoxy silyl) propyl dimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3 -(trihydroxy silyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl}chloride, and l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-

{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl (chloride.

38. A method of removing microbial materials using a functionalized cellulose-containing filtration media comprising: providing a cellulose-containing silane quat treated fdtration media comprising a filter media at least containing fibrillated cellulose fibers and a silane quat covalently bonded at least to surfaces of the fibrillated cellulose fibers and providing a cationic charge thereto; contacting a contaminated fluid stream to the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media whereby negatively charged contaminates in the fluid stream are attracted and attach to the cationic charge on the fibrillated cellulose fibers for removal of said contaminates from the fluid stream.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the contaminated fluid stream comprises contaminated water.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the contaminated fluid stream comprises contaminated air.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the silane quat simultaneously prevents microbiological growth on the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media.

42. The method of claim 38 wherein the strong covalent bonds of the silane quat to the fibrillated cellulose fibers prevent leaching into water thereby extending life and use of the cellulose- containing silane quat treated filtration media.

43. The method of claim 38 wherein the filter media paper further includes materials selected from the group consisting of inactive materials, active materials, and a combination of inactive and active materials.

44. The method of claim 38 wherein the silane quat is selected from the group consisting of 3-

(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3 -(trihydroxy silyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl (chloride, and l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N-

{3(trihydroxysilyl)propyl (chloride.

45. A method of protecting water filtration media from microbial growth comprising: providing a cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media comprising a filter media at least containing fibrill ated cellulose fibers and a silane quat covalently bonded at least to surfaces of the fibrillated cellulose fibers and providing a cationic charge thereto; contacting a microbiological contaminated fluid stream to the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media whereby negatively charged microbiological contaminates in the fluid stream are attracted to and attach to the cationic charge on the fibrillated cellulose fibers, whereby the silane quat deters the microbiological contaminate from contacting and growing on surfaces of the treated filtration media.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the silane quat kills the microbiological contaminate.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein the microbiological contaminated fluid stream comprises microbiological contaminated water.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein the microbiological contaminated fluid stream comprises microbiological contaminated air.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein the cellulose-containing silane quat treated filtration media comprises filter media paper.

50. The method of claim 45 wherein the silane quat is selected from the group consisting of 3- (trimethoxy silyl) propyl dimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3 -(trihydroxy silyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- {3(trimethoxysilyl)propyl (chloride, and l-OctadecanaminiumN,N-dimethyl-N- { 3 (tri hydroxy si 1 y 1 )propy 1 } chi ori de .