The lack of drinking water is forcing scientists around the world to look for alternative solutions to this issue.
Scientists have worked for a long time to create porous carbon nanotubes that are able to purify unpalatable sea water from salt and make it potable. In doing so, the scientists also found that the permeability of water in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with diameters smaller than a nanometer (0.8 nm) exceeds the permeability compared to wider carbon nanotubes.
Researchers at Livermore National Laboratory, in collaboration with researchers at Northeastern University, have created porous carbon nanotubes created from carbon atoms. Their diameter is 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. The super smooth inner surface of the nanotube provides good water permeability, and the porous structure effectively traps large salt ions.
As many know, the reserves of fresh water on Earth are quickly depleted, which poses a threat to all of humanity. Purification of sea water from salt with the help of carbon nanofilters will provide the world population with a sufficient amount of drinking water.
"We found that thin carbon nanotubes do an excellent job of filtering water out of salt," the scientists said.
More detailed results of the study were published in the scientific publication Science.