Invention of an ecological membrane for water filtration
The layers used for water filtering very often get clogged. In order to solve this problem, researchers have developed a whole new generation of membranes capable of filtering water better and cleaning themselves more easily. The new discovery has proven its ecological side since it requires less energy and results in an issue of reduced carbon.
Indeed, these new generation filtration films are composed of nanosheets which allow on the one hand better retention of debris present in the water. A photosensitive membrane is added to the assembly in order to facilitate cleaning of the latter by the simple presence of light.
This work was carried out by a research group from the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation of Kobe University. The results of the studies have been published in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal.
Combining photocatalytic technology and nanotechnology to preserve the environment
Due to its reliability, the new approach to water purification is currently used in almost a thousand treatment plants. However, a problem arose. The only nanosheet technology was not enough to purify the water effectively. Indeed, the membranes used for the purification process end up clogging because of the debris.
Therefore, the researchers embarked on a quest to create a layered nanosheet material that could clean easily with less energy. As a result of this research, photocatalytic technology based on the use of a material like titanium was adopted.
Furthermore, the materials designed through this combination of processes were not only able to treat water, but also able to produce high photocatalytic activity. Finally, for greater efficiency, a niobate nanosheet has been added to the assembly.
The incredible architecture of filtration membranes
Nanosheet laminate layers were designed by simple vacuum filtration of nanosheet materials. When the composite film is used as a separation membrane, the niobate nanosheets give the laminated film its structure. The carbon nitride is placed between these layers and acts as an internal separator between the two layers.
Thus, the channels of the laminate film expand, greatly increasing their rate of water permeability. This architecture of the channels will make it possible to separate 90% of the debris from the water. Finally, the researchers succeeded in cleaning the nanosheets blocked by the debris in the water by irradiating them.
SOURCE: MIRA NEWS
