Grantee Research Project Results
2020 Progress Report: A Novel 2D MoS2 Sponge Oil-Water Separator (MDSOS)
EPA Grant Number: SV839489Title: A Novel 2D MoS2 Sponge Oil-Water Separator (MDSOS)
Investigators: Lee, Woo Hyoung , Hwang, Jae-Hoon , Jung, Yeonwoong
Institution: University of Central Florida
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: April 1, 2019 through April 11, 2020 (Extended to March 31, 2022)
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 1, 2020 through March 31,2021
Project Amount: $75,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2019) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
The primary objective of the project is to develop a novel superhydrophobic and superoleophilic 2D MoS2-embedded microporous membrane system for sustainable oil water separation. The problems associated with the multitude of operational responses to oil spill demonstrate a clear motivation for a solution that would lead to less manpower needed and less toxins released during cleanup. The 2D MoS2 sponge oil-water separator (MDSOS) was designed to soak up the oil from the ocean, repelling water in the process. This project established and advanced fundamentals associated with a vision of conservation of our water resources using an innovative sponge technology that could help clean waterways after a crude oil spill. This technology proposes to curb water pollution by creating an oil-water separator which soaks up oil but repels water, leaving behind no toxic byproduct.
The objectives of the Phase II project are to 1) improve oil-separation proficiency by optimizing sponge porosity; 2) develop the self-floating oil spill detecting sensor, which stems from the intrinsic oil-water separation capability of the MoS2-PDMS sponges as well as their excellent conductivity for electrical sensing; 3) employ the technology towards real application such as by remediating crude oil and scaling up MDSOS for oil separation in the field; 4) investigate an environmental and economic life cycle assessment; and 5) establish an operator guideline for the oil-collection system. This project will also allow graduate and undergraduate students to design technical solutions to current sustainability challenges.
Progress Summary:
Results from this project successfully displayed an oil-water separation sponge based on 2D MoS2-incorporated porous membranes and evaluated its performance on crude oil-water separation. The novel superhydrophobic sponge was fabricated by combining 2D nanostructured MoS2 and auxetic patterned MoS2-PU (polyurethane) sponges with controlled geometries. The MoS2 coating and sponge morphology was confirmed using surface characterization methods (e.g., SEM and TEM). MDSOS with 10 wt% of MoS2 showed the max temperature reaching up to 73.4 °C within 15 min, while the PU sponge without MoS2 reached around 39.3 °C after ~15 min under natural sunlight at the outdoor temperature ~30 °C. Excluding the price of the utilized 3D printer (~$700) for PVA scaffold fabrication, rough estimates of the PVA (2×2×2 cm3) cost around $0.50 – 0.60 per 2×2×2 cm3 sponge, and the completed MDSOS (2×2×2 cm3) cost less the 22 cents ($0.06 – 0.22) depending on the current price of the MoS2 powders. In conclusion, during the project period, the oil-separation proficiency was improved by optimizing sponge porosity. We found that using the modified structure of MoS2 heat transfer under solar light was increased with MDSOS by decreasing crude oil’s viscosity. We also evaluated environmental and economic life cycle assessment, focusing on cost analysis. From the restuls, we also submitted one proposal to NSF Partnership for Innovaiton Technology Translation (PFI-TT) track with a title of “PFI-TT: Towards a Smart Oil Sponge for Industrial Application” (not selected) working with many potential collaborators (e.g., Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Orange Country, and ASCE’s Environmental & Water Resources).
Future Activities:
We will continue working on the optimization of the MoS2 sponge fabrication by 3D printer can lead to enhancement of its constant porosity and surface area, and an increase in its oil absorption capacity while maintaining oil absorption ability. Going forward with this project, its progress in material fabrication and concern of environmental parameters will allow for field application providing research in fields such as for commercial use or private sector use.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 10 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
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Ko TJ, Hwang JH, Davis D, Shawkat MS, Han SS, Rodriguez KL, Oh KH, Lee WH, Jung Y. Superhydrophobic MoS2-based multifunctional sponge for recovery and detection of spilled oil. Current Applied Physics 2020;20(2):344-51. |
SV839489 (2019) SV839489 (2020) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Crude Oil-water separation, MoS2-PU sponges, Oil spill, oil viscosity, polyurethane, solar simulator, temperature, 2D MoS2 nanomaterials, 3D printer
Relevant Websites:
Microsensor Biofilm Research Laboratory Exit , Jung Research Group Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
A Novel 2D MoS2 Sponge Oil-Water Separator (MDSOS) | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.