journal article·2019-01

Actinia-like multifunctional nanocoagulant for single-step removal of water contaminants

Jinwei Liu, Shihan Cheng, Na Cao, Chunxiang Geng, Chen He, Quan Shi, Chunming Xu, Jinren Ni, Ryan M. DuChanois, Menachem Elimelech, Huazhang Zhao

Nature Nanotechnology· Volume 14· Issue 1
Publisher page

Abstract

Current technologies for water purification are limited by their contaminant-specific removal capability, requiring multiple processes to meet water quality objectives. Here we show an innovative biomimetic micellar nanocoagulant that imitates the structure of Actinia, a marine predator that uses its tentacles to ensnare food, for the removal of an array of water contaminants with a single treatment step. The Actinia-like micellar nanocoagulant has a core-shell structure and readily disperses in water while maintaining a high stability against aggregation. To achieve effective coagulation, the nanocoagulant everts its configuration, similar to Actinia. The shell hydrolyses into 'flocs' and destabilizes and enmeshes colloidal particles while the core is exposed to water, like the extended tentacles of Actinia, and adsorbs the dissolved contaminants. The technology, with its ability to remove a broad spectrum of contaminants and produce high-quality water, has the potential to be a cost-effective replacement for current water treatment processes.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Membrane Separation Technologies · Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods · Water Treatment and Disinfection

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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