Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SusPlasMem (Sustainable Plasmonic Membranes for Water Remediation)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Micropollutants such as drugs, pesticides and polyfluorinated alky substances (PFAS) are present in almost all water samples and are difficult to be removed by conventional wasterwater treatment technologies. There is a need for a cost- and energy-efficient method to remove such micropollutants from wasterwater. The SusPlasMem project aims to develop a filter material that is based on plasmonic nanoparticles, which can absorb visible light efficiently and photocatalytically decompose micropollutants. Specifically, the project is aimed at establishing a stable and versatile membrane-like material, test it with different pollutants and quantify the membrane performance and establish a demonstrator model and industry cooperation.
A plasmonic membrane based on a nanocellulose matrix and silver nanoparticles has been developed and was characterized with respect to its performance for decomposition of the dye methylene blue and the antibiotic vancomycin. Almost complete removal of the pollutants from solution has been achieved over many cycles. The stability of the membrane has been assessed and optimized and a demonstrater model was designed. Furthermore, an industry cooperation was established.
Further research is required to further improve the performance of the plasmonic membrane. Further development of the upscaling of the material is required to establish the technology for commercialization. It is envisioned to provide a solution for specific waster water produced by industry of hospitals.