Desalination of saline water by nanochannel arrays through manipulation of electrical double layer. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lai, Chih-Chung; Chang, Chia-Jung; Huang, Yu-Sheng; Chang, Wen-Chih; Tseng, Fan-Gang; Chueh, Yu-Lun
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 12(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 400
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Electrical double layer (EDL) -- Desalination -- Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO); Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.10.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: A novel method for desalination of saline water through manipulation of electric-double-layer (EDL) in the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannels to form the ion depletion boundary as virtual ionic filter was reported for the first time. The higher the bias was applied on the electrode, the stronger the EDLs overlapping effect can be achieved. Furthermore, a continuous desalination flow by connecting two chambers together with a pumping system whose flow rate is controllable was demonstrated. Desalination efficiency and power consumption were measured and estimated, compared with that of multi-stage flash (MSF), reversal osmosis (RO), and electrodialysis (ED), providing a more convenient way to generate pure water from saline water and has a significant interest in commercialization for demand of the desalination of saline water with highly efficient, affordable, and sustainable merits. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Desalination of saline water through manipulation of electric-double-layers (EDLs) overlapping in the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannels. Demonstration of continuous desalination flow shows a desalination rate of 38% at a flow rate of 1 mL/cm 2 . It has the lowest power consumption of ~1.2 KW m −3 for generation of drinkable water with the highest desalination rate of up to 9.72 mL/min-cm 2 with 1 cm 2 desalination membrane area. The EDL-based membranes show potentials in separation of proteins or other molecules from specific solutions.