The shortage of fresh water is a big problem, not only in the future that is estimated that we could be left without it, but also in the actuality since millions of people do not have access to drinking water to drink. And only 1% of the total water of our planet is available for consumption.
As a result of this global problem, a team of specialists from the University of Manchester created a graphene filter capable of removing salt from salt water.
This new invention could be very efficient in the filtration of salts, through the use of the chemical derivative of graphene oxide.
Graphene, the key substance
By publishing their results in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, the research team began its project in 2004, discovering a compound that could change the current water situation: graphene.
Graphene consists of a single layer of carbon atoms that are located in a hexagonal network. It has unusual properties, such as tensile strength and electrical conductivity, and is considered an extremely promising material.
Solving the problem
The problem has been to produce large quantities of graphene with existing methods. The current manufacturing methods are very expensive.
Graphene oxide membranes are very effective in filtering small nanoparticles, organic molecules and even large salts. But until now it was not possible to filter common salts, because they require smaller sieves.
But the team of researchers and their colleagues showed that the placement of walls made of epoxy resin (used in coatings and glues) and placed on both sides of the graphene oxide membrane, managed to stop the swelling of the membranes that allowed the smaller salts will flow through the pores along with the water molecules.
An invention that can change the world
According to Rahul Nair (leader of the research) and his team, these expandable membranes are a step towards desalination technology and its efficiency. And they could change the filtration of water around the world, becoming an accessible technology for the countries that need it the most.
No doubt this invention could change the reality of many people and solve one of the most important problems worldwide: the water crisis.
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