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Defective ultralong carbon nanotubes for water desalination and purification

Technology title

Carbon nanotube materials based on ultra-high adsoption-based technique for water desalination

Technology overview

This invention relates to the following: 

  • A membrane comprising carbon nanotubes and mixed cellulose ester porous membranes that demonstrates ultrahigh adsorption capacity for salt as well as organic and metal contaminants. 
  • A microfluidic device comprising such a membrane 
  • A method for filtering water 
Technology specifications

This technology consists of a membrane comprising carbon nanotubes and mixed cellulose ester porous membranes for water desalination and purification, in the form of a microfluidic device. The membrane provides high adsorption capacity that can remove salt as well as organic and metal contaminants.

Sector 

This technology is applicable in the following industries: 

  • Water desalination 
  • Water purification/treatment 
  • Healthcare products
Market opportunity

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 (POU) applications.

 

Conventional desalination methods are energy and operationally intensive, while adsorption-based techniques are simple and easy to use for POU water purification, yet their capacity to remove salts is limited. Plasma-modified ultralong carbon nanotubes (UCNTs) exhibit ultrahigh specific adsorption capacity for salt (exceeding 400% w/w) 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 UCNT-based membranes that can remove salt as well as organic and metal contaminants. These UCNT-based membranes may lead to the next-generation rechargeable, point-of-use potable water purification appliances with superior desalination, disinfection, and filtration, thereby contributing to the sustainability of a healthy, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient future. 

 

Applications
  • Water purification 
  • Desalination 
Customer benefits
  • High adsorption capacity 
  • Recyclability  
  • Inexpensive manufacturing process 
  • Point of use device with compact device size 
  • Low energy consumption  
Technology readiness level 

4

Ideal collaboration partner
  • Firms specialising in water treatment technologies 
  • NGOs focused on water access and sustainability
Collaboration mode
  • Licensing 
  • Test-bedding