Priya patelTLDR:
Researchers at KIT have studied the adsorption of micropollutants using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VaCNT) as membrane material. The study revealed that the low adsorption of VaCNT membranes is desirable for highly selective membranes targeting specific substances. The interplay of hydrodynamic forces, friction, and forces of attraction and repulsion at the liquid-wall interface determine the adsorption in membrane nanopores. This research may benefit ultra- and nanofiltration processes controlled by nanopores.
In the study published in Nature Communications, the researchers highlight the difficulty in producing nearly perfect membranes on larger areas and the importance of pore geometry and surface structure in membrane technology. The research took about ten years to turn the idea into a successful experiment and has attracted wide interest in the membrane technology community.
The research conducted by IAMT at KIT provides basic insights into water processing and may pave the way for developing membranes with smaller pores in the future. The study demonstrates the potential of VaCNT membranes in water filtration and their role in removing micropollutants.
