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Carbon nanotube membranes with ultrahigh specific adsorption capacity for water desalination and purification

Author

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  • Hui Ying Yang

    (Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Zhao Jun Han

    (CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering)

  • Siu Fung Yu

    (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Kin Leong Pey

    (Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design)

  • Kostya Ostrikov

    (CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering
    School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • Rohit Karnik

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Development of technologies for water desalination and purification is critical to meet the global challenges of insufficient water supply and inadequate sanitation, especially for point-of-use applications. Conventional desalination methods are energy and operationally intensive, whereas adsorption-based techniques are simple and easy to use for point-of-use water purification, yet their capacity to remove salts is limited. Here we report that plasma-modified ultralong carbon nanotubes exhibit ultrahigh specific adsorption capacity for salt (exceeding 400% by weight) that is two orders of magnitude higher than that found in the current state-of-the-art activated carbon-based water treatment systems. We exploit this adsorption capacity in ultralong carbon nanotube-based membranes that can remove salt, as well as organic and metal contaminants. These ultralong carbon nanotube-based membranes may lead to next-generation rechargeable, point-of-use potable water purification appliances with superior desalination, disinfection and filtration properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Ying Yang & Zhao Jun Han & Siu Fung Yu & Kin Leong Pey & Kostya Ostrikov & Rohit Karnik, 2013. "Carbon nanotube membranes with ultrahigh specific adsorption capacity for water desalination and purification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3220
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3220
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