Carbon nanotube immobilized super-absorbing membranes
US9919274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2016 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A20/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Carbon nanotube (CNT) immobilized membranes for harvesting pure water from air include CNTs incorporated into a layer of super-absorbing polymer. The super-absorbing polymer may be cast over a porous substrate. The super-absorbing polymer binds strongly to water and generates water clusters while the CNTs are operable to interrupt the specific water-polymer and water-water interactions to generate more free water which permeates more easily through the membrane. Methods of forming the CNT immobilized membranes are provided. The CNT immobilized membranes disclosed herein exhibit improved water vapor extraction efficiency, water vapor removal and mass transfer coefficient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.