Nanocomposite polymer-carbon based nanomaterial filters for the simultaneous removal of bacteria and heavy metals

• US 8,925,736 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Houston System
• Original Assignee: University of Houston (University of Houston System)
• Inventors: Rodrigues, Debora F., Claydon, Fritz, Santos, Catherine M., Tria, Maria Celeste R., Advincula, Rigoberto C.
• Primary Examiner(s): STELLING, LUCAS A
• Application Number:
  US13/609,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20130240437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 977/734, 977/753, 977/847
• US Class Current: 210/500.33
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/36 Introduction of specific chemical groups
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/46 Impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2323/48 Influencing the pH
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/12 Adsorbents being present on the surface of the membranes or in the pores
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2325/48 Antimicrobial properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 67/0079 Manufacture of membranes comprising organic and inorganic components
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/02 characterised by their properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/12 Composite membranes; Ultra-thin membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/147 containing embedded adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/148 Organic/inorganic mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/021 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/0212 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/28 Polymers of vinyl aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 71/82 characterised by the presence of specified groups, e.g. introduced by chemical after-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/734 Fullerenes, i.e. graphene-based structures, such as nanohorns, nanococoons, nanoscrolls or fullerene-like structures, e.g. WS2 or MoS2 chalcogenide nanotubes, planar C3N4, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/753 with polymeric or organic binder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/847 Surface modifications, e.g. functionalization, coating

Abstract

The disclosed subject matter provides a filter that is modified by a polymer-carbon based nanomaterial nanocomposite intended to significantly enhance the performance of filtration, separation, and remediation of a broad variety of chemicals, heavy metal ions, organic matters, and living organisms. Polymeric materials, such as but not limited to poly-N-vinyl carbazole (PVK), are combined with (1) graphene (G) and/or graphene-like materials based nanomaterials and (2) graphene oxide (GO) chemically modified with a chelating agent such as but not limited to EDTA. The nanocomposite is homogenously deposited on the surface of the membrane.

Claims

1. A membrane comprising a poly-N-vinyl carbazole (PVK)-graphene based solution, wherein said PVK is mixed with materials selected from the group consisting of:

graphene (G), graphene based nanomaterial composites, and graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with a chelating agent, wherein the membrane comprises a concentration of PVK ranging from one percent to ten percent by weight.

2. The membrane of claim 1 having a concentration of graphene oxide ranging from 90 to 99 percent by weight.

3. The membrane of claim 2 having a pH ranging between 1 and 12.

4. The membrane of claim 2 having a pH ranging between 5 and 12.

5. The membrane of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a polyvinyl-N-carbazole-graphene oxide nanomaterial comprising a pH of greater than or equal to 7.

6. A membrane comprising a poly-N-vinyl carbazole (PVK)-grapheme based solution, wherein said PVK is mixed with materials selected from the group consisting of graphene (G), graphene based nanomaterial composites, and graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with a chelating agent, wherein the concentration of PVK ranges from 1 to 10 percent by weight, and wherein the solution has a pH ranging from 7 to 12.

7. A membrane for removal of heavy metals, the membrane comprising:

a polyvinyl-N-carbazole-graphene oxide (PVK-GO) nanomaterial comprising from 1 to 10percent by weight polyvinyl-N-carbazole (PVK) and from 90 to 99 percent by weight graphene oxide (GO), wherein the PVK-GO nanomaterial comprises a pH of greater than or equal to 7.

8. The membrane of claim 7, wherein the PVK-GO nanomaterial is functionalized with a chelating agent.

9. The membrane of claim 8, wherein the chelating agent comprises ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

10. The membrane of claim 7, wherein the PVK-GO nanomateiral comprises concentrations of PVK and GO at a ratio of approximately 10:

90.

11. A membrane comprising a poly-N-vinyl carbazole (PVK)-graphene based solution, wherein said PVK is mixed with materials selected from the group consisting of:

graphene (G), graphene based nanomaterial composites, and graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with a chelating agent, wherein the membrane comprises a concentration of graphene oxide ranging from ninety percent to ninety-nine percent by weight.