Cleaning water with catalysis using light and advanced 2D materials
Harmful chemicals, such as PFAS— so-called forever chemicals—pollute the waters, endangering everyone’s health. Our research combats this situation using our recently discovered MXenes and goldene to create catalysts that operate by harnessing light. These catalysts trigger reactions that disintegrate the pollutants without toxic byproducts, mimicking nature’s system, but with thousands-fold increase in efficiency. MXenes and goldene are two-dimensional (2D) sheets of carbides and gold, respectively, which are patented by us or in the public domain.
Our exploitation plan to provide safe drinking water and purify industrial wastewater contains: 1) combining catalysts for maximum efficiency, 2) developing reactor designs for large-scale water treatment, and 3) conducting pilot-scale testing to validate performance and cost-effectiveness, for which initial test results are positive.
This innovation helps fulfill Goal 6 of the UN Agenda 2030 to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
