Grantee Research Project Results
2014 Progress Report: Research and Demonstration of Electrospun Nanofiber Filters: Multifunctional, Chemically Active Filtration Technologies for Small-Scale Water Treatment Systems
EPA Grant Number: R835177Title: Research and Demonstration of Electrospun Nanofiber Filters: Multifunctional, Chemically Active Filtration Technologies for Small-Scale Water Treatment Systems
Investigators: Cwiertny, David M. , Parkin, Gene F , Myung, Nosang V.
Institution: University of Iowa , University of California - Riverside
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: December 1, 2011 through November 30, 2016
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 2013 through November 30,2014
Project Amount: $499,466
RFA: Research and Demonstration of Innovative Drinking Water Treatment Technologies in Small Systems (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
This research and demonstration plan aims to fabricate multi-component nanofiber mats via a novel synthesis approach, electrospinning, and optimize their performance as chemically active filtration technologies for water treatment across a range of scales and chemistries.
Progress Summary:
In Year 3, our efforts have focused on the optimization of metal sorbent technologies using iron oxide nanofibers, carbon nanofibers for organic micropollutant uptake, and further enhancement to photocatalytic nanofibers. We have generated hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanofibers with tunable diameters, resulting in capacities for metal targets (e.g., chromate) that equal those of commercial sorbents and more traditional nanoparticles. Carbon nanofibers prepared as composites with carbon nanotubes (CNT-CNF composites) were synthesized, and they were tested toward model pollutant targets including atrazine (a pesticide) and sulfamethoxazole (a pharmaceutical), revealing capacity that exceeds commercial sorbents (e.g., GAC). Finally, alternative photocatalysts including silver-doped titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) and visible light active bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) were developed and their photoactivity characterized toward model pollutant targets.
Future Activities:
The limitation with nearly all materials fabricated to date is that they are mechanically weak. Most inorganic metal oxide nanofibers fracture easily, and thus are not yet practical for use in the intended reactive filtration application. In the next project year, work will specifically center on making nanofiber networks displaying not only high reactivity (e.g., sorbent capacity, photocatalytic activity), but also material strength, thereby facilitating their application in point of use filtration devices. Nanofiber network strength will be critical in developing the multilayer, and thus multitarget, filtration devices depicted in our original proposal.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 21 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Decentralized treatment, point of use treatment, nanotechnology, water reuse, catalysis, water treatment, wastewater treatment;Relevant Websites:
David Cwiertny | College of Engineering | The University of Iowa Exit
Professor Nosang V. Myung | Myung Group | University of California, Riverside Exit
Gene F. Parkin | College of Engineering | The University of Iowa Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.