<![CDATA[Microbiological contamination of drinking water by Escherichia coli remains a major public health hazard in resource-limited settings. Conventional adsorptive technologies that utilize powdered materials pose post-treatment recovery challenges, whereas synthesis using analytical-grade chemicals is economically infeasible for point-of-use (POU) applications. Herein, we report a sustainable strategy for fabricating Alkali-Treated Aluminum Foil (ATA foil) as an integrated, filter-free sheet from commercial aluminum foil and agricultural fertilizers (Mg(NO3)2 and wood ash extract). The influence of activation duration (6 h vs. 24 h) on phase transformation, surface topography, and bacterial capture performance was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that moderate synthesis pH (9.3) favored the formation of a disordered, amorphous aluminum (oxy)hydroxide active coating rather than crystalline Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed that extending activation to 24 h formed an interconnected, porous web across the surface. In batch assays, the 24-h ATA foil achieved a rapid and substantial reduction of culturable E. coli (from 102 CFU/mL to below the detection limit of < 1 CFU/mL, corresponding to > 99% efficiency) within 24 h in both synthetic water and real refill drinking water depot samples. The captured bacteria remained stably immobilized without desorption for up to 168 h. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) confirmed non-detectable dissolved aluminum leaching (< 0.01 mg/L), complying strictly with WHO and national drinking water standards (0.2 mg/L). This study highlights the ATA foil as a safe, cost-effective, and filter-free POU alternative for decentralized drinking water safety.]]>
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