June 13, 2023 -- June 13, 2023
A recent study by Prof. K Ganapathy Ayappa’s group reveals that nanoporous graphene significantly boosts evaporation flux from salt solutions, offering a greener water-stress solution.
In the latest publication by Prof K Ganapathy Ayappa and his Ph.D. student Anshaj Ronghe in ACS Publications , the researchers have shown the effectiveness of nanoporous graphene in enhancing evaporation flux from salt solutions, paving the way towards a greener and eco-friendly strategy for a water-stressed world.
This study demonstrates that small-sized 4.54 Å graphene nanopores can amplify evaporation flux by a staggering 7-11 times for monovalent salt solutions (LiCl, NaCl, and KCl) with concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 3.0 M. By delving into the atomistic intricacies, the researchers unveiled how these functionalized nanopores facilitate rapid dynamics of the water molecules, significantly reducing the energy required for evaporation. Particularly fascinating was the researchers’ observation of salt and concentration-dependent enhancements in evaporation flux, achieved through the implementation of cation-π interactions, revealing the remarkable selectivity of nanoporous graphene for various ions.
Reference: Anshaj Ronghe and K. Ganapathy Ayappa, Graphene Nanopores Enhance Water Evaporation from Salt Solutions: Exploring the Effects of Ions and Concentration, Langmuir (2023)
