CLEAN WATER

Water Detoxification Using Innovative vi-Nanocatalysts

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The concept of the project is based on the development of innovative nanostructured UV-Visible photocatalysts for water treatment and detoxification by using doped TiO2 nanomaterials with visible light response. The project aims at an efficient and viable water detoxification technology exploiting solar energy and recent advances in nano-engineered titania photocatalysts and nanofiltration membranes for the destruction of extremely hazardous compounds in water. To this aim, the UV-vis responding titania nanostructured photocatalysts will be stabilized on nanotubular membranes of controlled pore size and retention efficiency as well as on carbon nanotubes exploiting their high surface area and unique electron transport properties to achieve photocatalytically active nanofiltration membranes. This will be the crucial component for the fabrication of innovative continuous flow photocatalytic-disinfection-membrane reactors for the implementation of a sustainable and cost effective water treatment technology based on nanoengineered materials. Comparative evaluation of the UV-visible and solar light efficiency of the modified titania photocatalysts for water detoxification will be performed on specific target pollutants focused mainly on cyanobacterial toxin MC-LR and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) in water supplies as well as classical water pollutants such us phenols, pesticides and azo-dyes. Particular efforts will be devoted on the analysis and quantification of degradation products. The final goal is the scale up of the photocatalytic reactor technology and its application in lakes, tanks and continuous flow systems for public water distribution.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU scientists have come up with a better way to purify drinking water in light of increasing pollution and water scarcity. Their new method employs solar-powered nanotechnology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Even in low concentrations, bacterial toxins, pesticides and other chemicals in water can cause serious health and environmental problems. Conventional treatment methods like chlorination, filtration and activated carbon adsorption are just not able to eliminate all toxic contaminants.

But researchers taking a new approach to treatment options were able to develop a viable and efficient alternative technology as part of the EU-funded 'Water detoxification using innovative vi-nanocatalysts' (CLEAN WATER) initiative. They incorporated solar energy into a system that uses nano-engineered titania catalysts and membranes. Because of their response to solar and visible light, both catalyst and membrane are said to be photocatalytically active.

The researchers managed to develop a sustainable water purification device by integrating their ultrafiltration membrane technology into a reactor. They also up-scaled the materials and processes in a pilot study to determine costs and efficiencies on a larger scale. The project vision was to render the reactor functional in lakes, tanks and continuous flow systems for public water distribution.

The performance of these highly reactive photocatalysts exceeds that of commercially available titania catalysts. Two patents, 48 journal articles and 152 conference presentations are a testament to the scientific innovation that stemmed from this project.

Potential end users have already expressed interest in the new technology, which could also be applied to air purification, hydrogen production and solar cells.