Compositions and methods of remediation devices with nanostructured sorbent

Abstract

Contemplated remediation devices include a substantially completely hydrophobic, non-porous, and carbonaceous, and most preferably nanostructured material enclosed in a retaining structure. In further preferred aspects, the material inside the retaining structure adsorbs a contaminant from a medium located outside the retaining structure. Especially preferred nanostructured materials comprise graphene, while preferred contaminants include optionally substituted hydrocarbons, organic solvents, and acids.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The field of the invention is remediation devices comprising non-porous carbonaceous material, and especially carbonaceous nanostructures as a sorbent. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Activated charcoal is a common sorbent for numerous compounds and has been used in a large variety of filters, including potable water and air filtration. Among other advantages, such charcoal is relatively inexpensive, biologically inert and non-toxic, and can be easily disposed of. However, despite numerous desirable properties, activated charcoal has several disadvantages. [0003] For example, the sorption capacity of activated charcoal is relatively limited and typically determined by the pore size and volume. Moreover, not all compounds are retained by activated charcoal. Still further, most activated charcoal preparations are at least somewhat hydrophilic and therefore suffer from loss of capacity where the activated charcoal is used in a humid or aqueous environme...

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Benefits of technology

[0008] In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, the remediation device comprises a substantially completely hydrophobic and nanostructured material, wherein the nanostructured material is a material other than a carbon nanotube, and wherein the nanostructured material is at least partially enclosed in a retaining structure that is configured to allow adsorption of a contaminant to the hydrophobic mat

Problems solved by technology

However, despite numerous desirable properties, activated charcoal has several disadvantages.

For example, the sorption capacity of activated charcoal is relatively limited and typically determined by the pore size and volume.

Moreover, not all compounds are retained by activated charcoal.

Still further, most activated charcoal preparations are at least somewhat hydrophilic and therefore suffer from loss of capacity where the activated charcoal is used in a humid or aqueous environment.

Among other things, expanded graphite has still a relatively high degree of porosity, which tends to increase retention of the bound contaminant often resulting in limited re-use.

Furthermore, undesirable water binding remains problematic to the relatively high degree of porosity.

While SWNT and MWNT often exhibit superior sorbent characteristics as compared to activated charcoal, various new disadvantages arise.

Most significantly, the substantial cost of industrial scale production is often prohibitive for use of such nanotubes in filtration devices.

Therefore, while various materials and methods for remediation devices with carbon-based sorbents are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from various disadvantages.

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