Title: Potential of carbon nanotubes in water purification: an approach towards the development of an integrated membrane system

Authors: Soumitra Kar, R.C. Bindal, S. Prabhakar, P.K. Tewari, K. Dasgupta, D. Sathiyamoorthy

Addresses: Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India. ' Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India. ' Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India. ' Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India. ' Powder Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India. ' Powder Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai – 400 085, India

Abstract: The problems of water shortages and lack of access to safe drinking water have been and will continue to grow as major global problems. To alleviate these problems, water purification technologies are being updated. Recent years have witnessed impressive breakthroughs towards practical application of nanostructured materials such as Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in the field of water purification owing to their unique thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. These nanoscale structures need to be arranged into well-defined configurations in order to build integrated systems with high efficiency (the nanotubes being reusable, whereas the traditional membranes foul easily and require frequent replacements), high flux (owing to the hydrophobic super smooth inner surface of nanotubes), and with improvements in chemical selectivity (through suitable chemical functionalisation of the CNTs), so that the idea of using CNTs in separation technology can be made realistic and the potential benefits of practical application of these unique materials can be exploited. This paper assesses the CNTs as an emerging technology in water purification system, particularly with respect to its potential for the removal of arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals and toxic organic components.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; CNT; water purification; membranes; composites; nanostructures; nanomaterials; nanotechnology; separation technology; arsenic; fluoride; heavy metals; toxic organic components.

DOI: 10.1504/IJND.2008.020221

International Journal of Nuclear Desalination, 2008 Vol.3 No.2, pp.143 - 150

Published online: 09 Sep 2008 *

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