All human activities are dependent on water. As the global population increases, significant amounts of wastewater are generated each day across domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors. However, freshwater resources do not adequately replenish to meet the growing population’s water needs. As a result, there is intense competition and unfair distribution of limited freshwater resources among different sectors. This has led to a lack of access to clean drinking water, particularly in developing nations.
The generation of wastewater is inevitable as it plays an integral role in various sectors. For instance, in the oil refinery industry, every barrel of crude oil processed produces approximately 10 barrels of wastewater. Although these wastewaters contain contaminants, effective wastewater treatment can help supplement freshwater resources and make clean drinking water accessible for all. Addressing water scarcity, it seems, is best achieved through such methods.
Fluorine Nanostructures have been found to desalinate water 2,400 times faster than carbon nanotubes. A new method for water desalination utilizing fluorine rings with diameters of one to two nanometers has recently been introduced. The innovation lies in the use of hydrophobic fluorine, enabling the material to effectively and rapidly filter salt molecules. Fluorine at the nano-scale repels negatively charged ions, including chlorine found in NaCl salt.
To create a membrane, researchers stacked multiple fluorous rings and embedded them closely together within a water-tight layer comprising lipid molecules, resembling a cell membrane. This nanochannel formation prevents chloride ion permeability by establishing an electrostatic barrier on the fluorous inner surface. As a result, only water molecules can pass through this membrane, while salt and other molecules are unable to permeate it. This process yields clean water suitable for everyday use.
