Future applications of Graphene in Ultrafiltration – Graphene filters
Graphene is a wonder material destined to change every aspect of technology. This material has extraordinary properties that make it the most studied carbon material today. There are thousands of areas that will significantly change with the application of this 2D (Two Dimensional materials)
One of the areas that are expected to transform completely with the application of graphene is ultrafiltration. The outstanding property of graphene that makes it the only material that allows water to pass through and being almost completely impervious to gases and liquids. Very small molecules of gases such as Helium molecules cannot pass through this wonder material.
This property makes graphene the best material that in the near future will be used as a medium for ultrafiltration by acting as a barrier between the two substances (water and impurity). The benefit of using this material is that it is only an atom thick, and it is the only material that can be developed as a barrier that can electronically measure strain and pressure between the substances and amongst many other variables.
Columbia University researchers have created monolayer graphene filters that have pore sizes of 5nm. This is a very tiny size that is going to work tremendously well, having it in mind that the advanced monolayer materials used currently have a pore size of about 30-4nm. Whereas these sizes are exceptionally tiny, pressure during the process of ultrafiltration they are significant. This makes graphene the only super material we can rely on ultrafiltration in the future.
Alongside the properties that make graphene best medium for ultrafiltration graphene is the strongest known material; stronger than aluminium oxide, which is currently used as an ultrafiltration medium. This means graphene will be used efficiently and economically in desalination and ultrafiltration systems.
It is definite that graphene is going to change the way we live in the near future. This material seems to be the best replacement of a number of materials that are currently used in technology.