In a significant advance to address the shortage of fresh water in various parts of the world, scientists from the Indian Institute of Bombay Technology have developed a new material that can facilitate water desalination.
Researchers Professor Swatantra Pratap Singh and Aiswarya CL have developed double -sided slight graphene (DSLIG) graphene evaporator that addresses multiple deficiencies of previous applications and has the large -scale potential.
While water is abundant on Earth, only about 3% is fresh water, and even within that, it is easily accessible for less than 0.05%. Eliminate salt (salination) of seawater and brackish water is considered one of the solutions to address this problem, and researchers work to develop more efficient and faster gift techniques. However, the brine (concentrated saline) of ontamination is a big problem in the places without coastline, and the industries are looking for zero discharge of liquid.
The researchers said that solar energy oncalination methods are considered desirable due to their reduced carbon footprint. However, factors such as fluctuations in the intensity and availability of sunlight and reduced light absorption rates greatly affect the efficiency and consistency of giving techniques based on solar energy.
Mr. Singh explained that in recent years, interfacial evaporation systems have become a promising approach. The key component of thesis systems is an evaporator made of materials that can absorb solar energy and heat. The evaporator, placed on the surface of the water, focuses the solar heat in a thin layer of water on the surface of the evaporator instead of heating the entire volume. This heating located minimizes heat loss and improves the efficiency of the onsalination process.
However, despite this advantage, problems with traditional techniques of little solar Alainization also affect interfacial evaporators.
“Fluctuations in solar radiation cause temperature variations on the surface of the evaporator. In cloud days, the performance of the interfacial system stops due to the lack of solar energy. In addition, the various radiation processes, the day affects the day affects the day that affects around 2 pm when the solar intensity is higher,” Mr. Mr. Mr. said Singh.
Another important challenge with interfacial evaporation systems is the deposition of salt crystals on the surface of the evaporators. The deposition of the salt on the surface prevents the water from contacting the evaporator, and consistently, its efficiency decreases approximately time. This research aims to address both problems. In addition to solar heating, DSIGL evaporators can also be heated using electricity (known as Joule heating), Singh said.
By combining solar and electrical warming, the material is protected from fluctuations in the availability of sunlight. When there is less or no sunlight, electricity can be used to heat the evaporator and the similar temperatures of Mintain, ensuring constant performance. In addition, DSLIG has a superhydrophobic property, which means that it repels water like lotus leaves.
Due to the characteristics of their surfaces, superhydrophobic materials reduce the contact area between water drops and the surface of the material, which makes the drops on the subject instead of moisturizing.
“In desalination applications, Dslig’s superhydrophobic nature helps prevent salt dissolved in the water from adhering to the surface of the evaporator, thus maintaining efficiency over time. The main objective of our work was to create a superhydrophobic surface, exhibiting the lotus effect, capable of working with the solar heating and Jule”, Mr. Mr. “Mr.” Mr. “Mr.” Mr. “Mr.” Mr.
The researchers manufactured DSIGL covering a layer of a polymer called Polyvinyluideno Fluoride (PVDF) Our one side of a thin layer or another polymer league, poly (SULPHONE ETHER) (PES). The graphene was then recorded on the side of the PVDF polymer of the material -based engraving technology for material use. “The material derives its name from the fact that it has two different sides formed by the two polymers and the manufacturing technique used. PES does not repel the water, but it is essential to prevent the evaporator from being easily broken. The use of PVDF resulted in hydrophobicity on both surfaces.
Laboratory tests show that DSLIG not only exhibits a behavior similar to the lotus sheet, avoiding salt deposition and excellent efficiency for salination under electrical and solar heating, but also very effective in treating extremely concentrated salt solutions. This makes it an ideal candidate to treat saltwater discharges from other points of sale, as well as industrial wastewater.
Researchers have also shown that DSIGL performance improves when multiple evaporators stacked one on top of each other. While the low carbon footprint, low toxicity and profitability make DSLIG a potential candidate for sustainable desalination applications on a large scale and the treatment of industrial wastewater. Mr. Singh said that more field tests are required before such large -scale applications can be made.
“One of the main obstacles facing the equipment to guarantee and test the industrial preparation of this technology is a lack of funds. Meanwhile, we hope to develop more superhydrophobic materials that can simultaneously use solar and electrical energy with even greater efficiency,” added Singh.
Published – April 17, 2025 07:49 am isth
