Graphene Ink and 3D Printing for Aerogel Water Purification Filters

Background:

Graphene aerogels are incredibly light weight 3-D versions of 2-D graphene.  In many respects they make an ideal filter for purifying water with their high surface area, re-usability, and binding ability.  Typically aerogels are made with graphene oxide (GO) to increase porosity.  Unfortunately GO needs to be cast and will leach into water.  To allow 3D printing of free-standing aerogel structures many groups mix GO with polymers to provide support during the printing process.  However the polymers are difficult to remove after printing without damaging the aerogel structure.

Technology Overview:

In a procedure pioneered by University at Buffalo inventors, a specialized GO/biomolecules/water mix is printed on a frozen surface with the resulting ice acting as a support scaffold.  The ice is removed by freeze drying and subsequent heating removes the oxygen leaving the graphene aerogel in the shape it was printed.  The filter’s large surface area (shown in the pictured  SEM micrographs, Figure 1) binds dyes, organic solvents and heavy metals from water.  In addition, the graphene is encased in the non-toxic biomolecules and does not leach into treated liquid.  The printed structure can be geometrically optimized to improve filtration or convenience.

Advantages:

• Excellent binding of impurities
• Light weight
• Graphene does not leach
• Components safe for human use
• Optimizable shape with sub-millimeter precision
• Low cost printing
• Scalable

Applications:

• Water purification
• Desalination

Intellectual Property Summary:

US Patent Pending

Stage of Development:

• Proof of Principle experiments complete
• Small scale production achieved
• Results under peer-review

Licensing Status:

Available for licensing or collaboration.