A team of international researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in nanotechnology, developing a material that can absorb more than three times its weight in water. This breakthrough could have a significant impact on providing clean drinking water to millions of people worldwide.
The research, led by Associate Professor Rakesh Joshi and Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, is based on the properties of graphene oxide, a single-atom thick carbon lattice functionalized with oxygen-containing groups. The team inserted calcium ions into the graphene oxide, creating a synergy that enhances water adsorption.
The novel material has several advantages, including being extremely light and having sponge-like properties that make desorption easier. The researchers used computational simulations on a supercomputer to understand the underlying mechanism, which will help design better systems for atmospheric water generation.
This technology has far-reaching potential for addressing the global issue of fresh water scarcity. According to the United Nations, 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water. The new material could provide clean drinking water to millions in regions with limited access to clean water.
Industry partners have collaborated on this project to scale up the technology and develop a prototype for testing. The research is a global collaboration between teams from Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, and India.
The discovery of this nanomaterial marks an exciting step forward in addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems: access to clean water.
Source: https://statnano.com/news/74856/Light-as-a-Feather-Nanomaterial-Extracts-Drinking-Water-from-Air