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AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorsMostafa Khodakarami, Rick Honaker
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Aerogels, based on natural polymers with highly porous interconnected channels containing numerous functional groups having coordination capability with heavy metals for detoxification of wastewater generated by mining and metallurgical operations, are disclosed. Embodiments of the aerogels consist of biodegradable polysaccharides, modified to adjust water sorption capacity, and reinforced with inorganic nanostructures functionalized to be cross-linkable with polymers having light-absorption capacity. The light-to-heat conversion characteristic makes the aerogels applicable for recycling of wastewater in disposal pools using natural solar energy. This technology needs no or minimum energy input for water treatment and can be utilized for a wide range of operation scales, which makes it beneficial for small scale mining and metallurgical operations.
A photothermal polymeric aerogel, comprising:
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the polymer is a natural polymer.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 2, wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 2, wherein the polymer is selected from a group of polymers consisting of chitosan, chitin, cellulose, carboxylated cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, alginates, alginic acid, guar gum, dextrin, pectin, and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the polymer is selected from a group of a polysaccharide, a polymer with photothermal properties, and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 5, wherein the polymer with photothermal properties may be selected from polydopamine and conjugated polymers including polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the inorganic nanostructure is a carbonaceous nanostructure.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the inorganic nanostructure is a clay-based nanostructure.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the inorganic nanostructure is a metal nanoparticle selected from transition and/or noble metals.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the inorganic nanostructure is made from a material selected from a group consisting of carbon nanotubes, graphene, halloysite nanotubes and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the polymer is polymerized to the nanostructure.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the inorganic nanostructures may be physically incorporated into the polymers via processes induced by Van der Waals forces, dipolar interactions or weak hydrogen bonding.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein the polysaccharide is cross linked to the nanostructure with a cross-linking agent.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 16, wherein the cross-linking agent is selected from a group consisting of a multivalent ionic cross-linker including Ca2+ and Fe3+ complexes, a carboxylic acid, an inorganic acid, an amide, a glutaraldehyde, an epoxy compound, an isocyanate and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein (a) the polymer is selected from a group of polymers consisting of chitosan, chitin, cellulose, carboxylated cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, an alginate, alginic acid, guar gum, dextrin, pectin, a polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(8-caprolactone), poly(trimethylene carbonate), and poly(p-dioxanone), polydopamine, polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene and combinations thereof and (b) the inorganic nanostructure is made from a material selected from a group consisting of carbon nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, graphene, clay-based nanostructures including halloysite nanotubes, nanoparticles composed of transition and or noble metals, and combinations thereof.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein an outer surface of the nanostructure is hydroxylated prior to bonding with the polymer.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein an outer surface of the nanostructure is carboxylated prior to bonding with the polymer.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein an outer surface of the nanostructure is oxidated prior to bonding with the polymer.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein an outer surface of the nanostructure is aminated/amidated prior to bonding with the polymer.
The photothermal polymeric aerogel of item 1, wherein one or more ligand shells are conjugated on the surface of nanostructures.
21-40. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.