Graphene-based compact filtration system for water hardness removal and heavy metal purification
A graphene-based compact filtration system designed to remove water hardness, heavy metals, and microplastics from drinking water. Leveraging the material's high surface area, negative surface charge, and catalytic properties, it acts as both an ion exchanger and a carbonate precipitator, offering a lightweight, reusable, and dual-functional solution for water treatment.
Overview
This solution is a graphene-based compact filtration system designed to address water hardness removal alongside the capture of heavy metals and microplastics. It functions through two complementary mechanisms: ion exchange driven by the material's negative surface charge, and carbonate precipitation facilitated by graphene acting as a catalyst to convert atmospheric CO2 into carbonate ions. The result is a dual-functional, lightweight, and compact filter that offers high removal efficiency, high flow rate, and reusability, making it well suited for drinking water purification applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Porous graphene-based material with extremely high specific surface area, successfully produced in laboratory settings
- Negative surface charging that traps metal cations, functioning as an ion exchanger
- Adjustable surface electric potential enabling filter refresh and reuse after saturation
- Catalytic activity that promotes the formation of carbonate ions (CO3(2-)) from atmospheric CO2, precipitating metal cations for filtration
- Swelling resistance in liquid phase, overcoming a common challenge associated with graphene materials
- Compact, lightweight design suitable for point-of-use and portable water treatment
- High flow rate and demonstrated removal efficiency for heavy metals and microplastics in drinking water
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated at the laboratory scale, with porous graphene-based material successfully produced and a lab-scale filter system developed and tested for removing heavy metals and microplastics in drinking water. Future development will focus on optimizing mass production methods for the graphene-based material, enhancing negative surface charging capacity and catalytic performance for carbonate formation, and developing, testing, and optimizing the dual-functional filtration system specifically for water hardness removal over a 12-month project timeline.
About Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is a comprehensive research university in the heart of Ireland’s capital, pairing a historic city‑centre campus with modern research and innovation facilities. Industry engagement runs through Trinity East at Grand Canal Dock and an on‑site innovation hub that co‑locates researchers, start‑ups and corporate innovators with clear collaboration pathways. Clinical translation benefits from deep integration with major teaching hospitals, providing access to clinicians, patient cohorts and regulated settings. Research is backed by competitive national and European funding. A unified technology transfer and knowledge‑exchange office streamlines IP, licensing and spin‑out formation.
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