Development of micro/nanostructured carbon filtering elements and gauging by chromatographic methods and mass spectrometry for drinking water production

Abstract

The main objective of this project is to develop new technologies for the removal of taste and odor, particularly two semi-volatile compounds 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), geosmin and Nitrosamines where the goal is to replace activated carbon technology and current membranes. Two classes of filter elements and/or adsorbents will be developed and studied. The first involves a class of low cost particulate micro/nanostructured materials and the other of sandwish-type membranes generated by electrospinning also scalable nanostructured. The nanomaterials to be used for the nanostructuration of these matrices with micrometric or millimetric scale are carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide. These are chemically bonded to micrometric substrates (low cost fibers or coal) in such a way that they cannot be leached into the environment. The technology to be developed and investigated exploits the excellent adsorption capacity of nanocarbons, but in a way where the substrate also interferes with its electronic, biological and adsorbent properties. They are hybrid materials with surfaces where there are hydrophobic or hydrophilic regions. These can also be functionalized with various substances without risk of leaching of nanoparticles, as in the case of activated carbon or in the decoration of polymer fibers. For the evaluation and design of the filtering system, the elution of analytes and chromatographic analysis (GC or HPLC) with detection by MS / MS will be used as a measurement technique. Also, several traditional analytical investigation techniques in the nanocarbon area (HRTEM, SEM, AFM, XPS, BET, FTIR, Raman) will be used when necessary to investigate the interaction mechanisms involving the nanocarbons and the substances to be removed. Materials developed through partnerships will also be carried out on ecotoxicity studies. Therefore, the project in question aims at a new generation of adsorbents and separation membrane less susceptible to the various substances responsible for clogging (by-products, biofilms, plastic nanoparticles, nanometric additives from the cosmetics industry, etc.), with a high probability of surpassing currently commercial technologies, using scalable preparation methodologies, mitigating eventual risks of emission of nanomaterials in ecosystems. Although the main focus of the project is on taste and smell, the technology that will be developed has the potential for several other applications in the sector. (AU)