Here, new materials are synthesized and functionalized for the six CSPs with their targeted applications. The cases need materials with different functions, and we provide these via the four tasks below. Key questions concern achieving materials with targeted functions for heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and related molecules and PFAS removal from water, in relation to microorganisms and fouling and microplastics, and for gas purification in relation to, for example, CO2 removal. All the tasks involve efforts that make the materials either adaptive, responsive, or interactive, preparing for integration in devices in WP2 and in the CSPs.
Task 1.1 Carbonates, hydroxides, and related compounds
Carbonates and hydroxide materials are useful for many applications, including such related to the removal of ions and molecules from liquid phase and molecules from gas mixtures. By tuning the compositions and the specific surface areas and pore volumes, it becomes possible to address different applications. In this task, we will explore compositions and applications and the optimization of existing materials, such as Upsalite. For the latter, the collaboration with Disruptive Materials is important. The existing and improved materials will be tested in several CSPs for pollutant removal. A possibility of high temperature regeneration of heat-resistive mineral materials will be evaluated in CSP2 and CPS4.
Task 1.2 Carbon-based smart materials
Activated carbons denote a set of carbon rich materials with very high specific surface areas, defined and tunable surface chemistries and, in this task, we will focus on the development of magnetic activated carbons from biomass. The magnetism is added by an inorganic magnetic sub-component, and it offers a function that allows for the removal of the powder or granules with the help of an externally applied magnetic field and field gradient.
A 3D-arrangement of graphene is another developing carbon-based material platform, which can introduce ‘smartness’ because of for example its high electrical conductivity. This feature could either enable electrically triggered heating, or possibly electrocatalytic properties that can be further developed in WP2 of case studies. Acting either as a carbon-based adsorbent, or as a lightweight and high-surface area support for catalysts, such graphene in 3D-arrangement can be used in several cases such as CSPs 2, 4, and 5.
Smart, multifunctional electrochemical electrodes will be prepared by modifications of e.g. activated carbon cloth (ACC), by using nanostructures of polarizable semiconductors to improve electric field characteristics to improve charge separation and reduce charge recombination. The electrodes will be studied considering how the coatings would impart a near zero surface charge to the coated electrode, enabling a control of the potential on the ion adsorption. The use of reactive oxygen species at high potentials could eventually be used for simultaneous degradation of organic contaminants, along with adsorption of inorganic ions from water. Prevention of electro-oxidation will be studied by modifying carbon using both physical and wet chemical routes. Further enhancement of the electrodes for Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions for advanced oxidation processes will be carried out by growing well-dispersed, zero-valent iron on the ACC substrates providing avenues to develop new and openended device engineering schemes.
This task will involve tuning of the porosity and surface functionality towards the intended application, including the removal of short-chained PFAS molecules, purification of air and gas purification and removal of metal ions and pharmaceutical intermediates/residues. The partners include academic actors, RISE, Stockholm Water Technology, Bright Day Graphene, and Biokol.
Task 1.3 Lignocellulosic materials
Lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose make up a large part of the biomass on earth and offer a unique resource for preparing of functional materials with often a very high sustainability. In this task, we focus on studying the synthesis and preparation of hybrids and composites with such components. They are relevant as both the carrier materials for inorganic components as MOFs, carbonates, graphene oxide, TiO2, support for membranes/filters, and the functional materials for selective capture/rejection of water and air pollutants (metal ions, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, bacteria, proteins, virus) in many of the CSPs. Partners include academic actors, RISE and MoRe.
Task 1.4 Chemically modified materials
The classes of materials studied in tasks 1.1 – 1.3 do not always have the properties needed inherently, and in this task we study how and why they sometimes must be chemically modified to gain the intended function. These functionalities can involve molecular layer-by-layer assembly, targeting different applications, but also involve, for example, amine modification of porous materials to enhance the materials affinities for metal ions, CO2, SOx and NOx, and impart antifouling properties. It can also involve the modification/coating to achieve the surface chemistry wanted on substrates developed with in Mistra TerraClean or commercially available substrates from partners. One target is obtaining a modified UF membrane in 1-5 kDa range for ”high fouling” applications common in food and industrial fermentation. Thus, for example, Alfa Laval will be able to offer more sustainable solutions to customers using the low-fouling innovative membranes (water and energy savings). For scale-up, different techniques to prepare coatings are available these include roll, dip- and spraycoating, and aerosol-based techniques. Partners include academic actors, RISE, Alfa Laval and MoRe.
Task 1.5 Characterization platform
Materials characterization is critical to WP1, other WPs and several of the CSPs. Task 1.5 is dedicated to characterize the sorbent materials developed and validate their selectivity and ability of capturing metal ions, molecular species, etc., either after or in situ in situ, either during molecular adsorption 17 tests or catalysis. The techniques of relevance are numerous and include bulk techniques and surface characterization techniques, with a highlight on XPS, SEM, TEM, XRD, IR, ICP-OES and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. This task is to facilitate the information of use of the various materials characterization equipment at the involved partners’ sites.
WP1 Leader: Niklas Hedin, SU
WP1 Deputy Leader: Maria Strömme, UU