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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 

 

 

 

NAME OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGER:

 

Dr Ler Ser Yeng 

 

EMAIL: seryeng_ler@sutd.edu.sg

 

 

NAME OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

 

Prof Yang Hui Ying 

 

EMAIL: yanghuiying@sutd.edu.sg