Crystalline Nanocomposite Adsorbent With Mesoporous g-C3N4 Nanosheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon, have limitations in surface area and lack of visible light activity, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) suffers from low surface area, rapid electron-hole recombination, and limited exfoliation, making them ineffective for efficient removal of inorganic and organic contaminants under real-world conditions.
Innovation Solution
A particulate crystalline nanocomposite comprising calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4), calcium silicate hydroxide (Ca6Si6O17(OH)2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is developed, with a fraction of g-C3N4 in mesoporous nanosheet form, enhancing adsorption capacity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional absorbent materials such as activated carbon are used, then adsorption capability is provided, but surface area is low and visible light activity is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material combining g-C3N4 nanosheets with metal oxide nanoparticles (such as TiO2, ZnO, or Fe2O3). This composite structure integrates the high surface area and visible light activity of g-C3N4 with the catalytic properties of metal oxides, achieving both high surface area and enhanced adsorption capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheets with controlled pore sizes and high surface area. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for adsorption while maintaining accessibility for contaminants, directly addressing the low surface area limitation of conventional materials.
2Use of energy by moving object
If graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is used, then visible light activity is achieved, but surface area is low and electron-hole recombination is rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines g-C3N4 with metal oxide nanoparticles to create a composite that maintains visible light activity while enhancing surface area and reducing electron-hole recombination. The metal oxide nanoparticles act as electron acceptors, preventing rapid recombination and improving overall adsorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies specific regions of g-C3N4 by incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles at strategic locations. This local modification enhances the electronic structure and surface properties without compromising the overall visible light activity of the g-C3N4 framework.
3Reliability
If g-C3N4 is used for contaminant removal, then cost-effectiveness and stability are achieved, but surface area and adsorption capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheets with optimized pore structures that provide high surface area while maintaining the stability of g-C3N4. The porous architecture increases the available surface for adsorption without compromising the material's chemical and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of g-C3N4 with metal oxide nanoparticles preserves the stability of g-C3N4 while the metal oxide components contribute additional stability and enhance surface area. The synergistic combination maintains long-term stability while improving adsorption capacity.
4Reliability
If traditional methods such as coagulation and membrane filtration are used, then contaminant removal is achieved, but cost is high and efficiency is limited under real-world conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a cost-effective adsorbent material based on g-C3N4 and metal oxide nanoparticles that can be produced at low cost through simple synthesis procedures. The material's effectiveness under real-world conditions makes it economically viable compared to expensive traditional methods like membrane filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as particle size, surface area, and composition ratio to enhance the efficiency of the adsorbent material. By tuning these parameters, the material achieves high contaminant removal efficiency at reduced cost, making it suitable for real-world applications.
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 nanocomposite exhibits improved adsorption capacity and stability, effectively removing contaminants like polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and radioactive nuclides from aqueous media, overcoming the limitations of conventional materials.
Implementation Method 1
The nanocomposite exhibits improved adsorption capacity and stability, effectively removing contaminants like polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and radioactive nuclides from aqueous media
Data Source
AI summary
A method of immobilizing contaminants disposed in an aqueous medium, the method including contacting the aqueous medium with a CaHPO4/Ca6Si6O17(OH)2/g-C3N4 particulate crystalline nanocomposite for a sufficient contact time to permit adsorption of the contaminants. The particulate crystalline nanocomposite includes: a calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) crystalline phase; a calcium silicate hydroxide (Ca6Si6O17(OH)2) crystalline phase; a silicon dioxide (SiO2) crystalline phase; and, a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) crystalline phase, wherein at least a fraction of the g-C3N4 is in the form of mesoporous nanosheets.