Carboxylic Acid Dimer Adsorbent for Heavy Metal Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal-organic framework (MOF) materials used for removing trace heavy metals from wastewater are expensive and sensitive to temperature, leading to decreased desorption and adsorption capacities after multiple cycles, with unstable structures.

Innovation Solution

An adsorbent comprising a porous substrate loaded with a carboxylic acid dimer, where the carboxylic acid dimer is bonded to the substrate through various methods, allowing desorption at low temperatures and maintaining structural stability and adsorption efficiency across multiple cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional MOF materials comprising carboxylic acid dimer are used for adsorption, then adsorption capacity is achieved, but desorption capacity and structural stability decrease after multiple cycles due to temperature sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcycle durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines carboxylic acid dimer with porous substrate materials (such as metal oxides, ceramics, or polymers) to create a composite adsorbent. This composite structure leverages the high adsorption capacity of the carboxylic acid dimer while the porous substrate provides thermal stability and structural integrity, preventing degradation after multiple adsorption-desorption cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes porous substrate materials with controlled pore structures to support the carboxylic acid dimer. The porous structure enables efficient mass transfer of heavy metal ions while the rigid framework maintains structural stability during repeated thermal cycles, solving the problem of structure collapse in conventional MOFs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If conventional MOF materials are used for desorption, then heavy metal removal is achieved, but high temperature (80°C or above) is required leading to energy consumption and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesorption efficiencyVSAvoiddesorption temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal response characteristics of the adsorbent by selecting porous substrate materials with appropriate thermal properties. This allows the carboxylic acid dimer to undergo conformational changes and release adsorbed heavy metals at lower temperatures (below 80°C), reducing energy consumption while maintaining desorption efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional MOF materials are used, then trace heavy metal removal is achieved, but high cost and sensitivity to temperature limit practical application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace heavy metal removalVSAvoidcost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cost-effective porous substrate materials that can be mass-produced, replacing expensive conventional MOF materials. The composite structure maintains effective heavy metal removal capability while significantly reducing manufacturing costs, making the adsorbent economically viable for practical wastewater treatment applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 adsorbent achieves efficient desorption and adsorption of heavy metal ions at lower temperatures, maintaining performance and stability over multiple cycles, while being cost-effective and easier to recycle compared to MOF materials.

Implementation Method 1

Adsorption is one of the practical methods to remove trace heavy metals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The desorption of the adsorbent can occur at low temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS11752488B2Adsorbent comprising carboxylic acid dimer and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 NANJING UNIV

AI summary

An adsorbent includes a porous substrate and a carboxylic acid dimer loaded onto the porous substrate. The carboxylic acid dimer is loaded on the surface or in the plurality of holes of the porous substrate. The average pore size of the porous substrate is not smaller than 2 nm. The carboxylic acid dimer is loaded onto the porous substrate by at least one of the following manners: a) the carboxylic acid dimer is loaded onto the porous substrate through a Si—OH bond; b) the carboxylic acid dimer is loaded onto the porous substrate through the exchange between a carboxyl group and chlorine; c) the carboxylic acid dimer is loaded onto the porous substrate through the exchange between a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group; and d) the carboxylic acid dimer is loaded onto the porous substrate through the coordination of a carboxyl group and aluminum or silicon.