Beta-Manganese Dioxide Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotube Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current water treatment methods are inefficient and costly in removing toxic trace elements and organic pollutants, particularly due to the limitations of activated carbon and metal oxide nanoparticles, which face challenges in adsorption capacity, energy consumption, environmental pollution, and leakage during treatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid water treatment agent is developed, where β-manganese dioxide nanoparticles are immobilized on carbon nanotubes, creating a support system that enhances adsorption and oxidative removal of organic pollutants, preventing nanoparticle leakage and enabling commercialization by using a specific preparation method involving potassium permanganate, heat-treatment, and optional oxidants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If activated carbon is used to remove organic pollutants, then adsorption performance is improved, but adsorption capacity is limited and reactivation requires large energy input and creates secondary pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorption performanceVSAvoidenergy input for reactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from activated carbon to metal oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4, TiO2, ZnO, MnO2), transforming the adsorption mechanism and enabling oxidative removal capabilities that eliminate the need for energy-intensive reactivation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining metal oxide nanoparticles with various supports (activated carbon, graphite, nanotubes, silica gel, alumina) to synergize adsorption and oxidative removal functions, achieving both high pollutant removal efficiency and reduced operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If metal oxide nanoparticles are used to remove toxic trace elements, then adsorption efficiency is improved, but nanoparticles cause environmental pollution and leakage during treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorption efficiencyVSAvoidnanoparticle leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support material as an intermediary carrier for metal oxide nanoparticles. The support (activated carbon, graphite, nanotubes, silica gel, or alumina) prevents nanoparticle leakage into treated water while maintaining high adsorption efficiency through the nanoparticle-support composite structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops composite materials where metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed on stable support matrices, combining the high reactivity of nanoparticles with the stability and low leakage characteristics of the support materials, thereby eliminating environmental pollution risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If conventional water purification processes are used to remove toxic trace elements, then treatment is performed, but removal efficiency is low and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval efficiencyVSAvoidtreatment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by introducing metal oxide nanoparticles with specific properties (Fe3O4 for magnetic separation, TiO2 for photocatalysis, ZnO for arsenic removal, MnO2 for oxidative removal), achieving high removal efficiency at low operational costs through enhanced reactivity and selectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes metal oxide nanoparticles as strong oxidants, particularly MnO2, to accelerate the oxidation and removal of toxic trace elements and organic pollutants, significantly improving removal efficiency while reducing treatment costs compared to conventional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The immobilized β-manganese dioxide nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes achieve improved adsorptive and oxidative removal of organic pollutants, preventing nanoparticle loss and enhancing treatment efficiency, making the technology suitable for commercial application and in-situ groundwater treatment.

Implementation Method 1

β-manganese dioxide nanoparticles immobilized on a carbon nanotube support capable of adsorbing organic pollutants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

outstanding adsorption performance and oxidative removal performance of organic pollutants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10201801B2Hybrid water treatment agent of β-manganese dioxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotube, preparation method therefor, water treatment apparatus using same, and underground water in situ treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a water treatment agent, a preparation method therefor, a water treatment apparatus using the same, and an in-situ groundwater treatment apparatus and, more specifically, to: a water treatment agent comprising a carbon nanotube support, and β-manganese dioxide nanoparticles adsorbed on the carbon nanotube support and having a particle size of 1,000 nm or less; a preparation method therefor; a water treatment apparatus using the same; and an in-situ groundwater treatment apparatus.