Possible Applications of Fullerene Nanomaterials in Water Treatment and Reuse
Fullerenes are a class of molecules composed entirely of carbon. The first of these molecules, Buckminsterfullerene, was discovered in 1985 and contains 60 carbons in the form of a hollow spherical cage consisting of 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal faces. Other spherical fullerenes or "buckyballs" have since been synthesized as well as nonspherical fullerenes that include cylinders (carbon nanotubes-CNTs), lobed structures, and bowls to name a few. Further variations on fullerenes include the addition of an almost infinite variety of functionalities ranging from simple hydroxylation to the grafting of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules. Driven by immediate applications and the utility of undifferentiated material for subsequent modification, there has been a significant commercial emphasis placed on the production of buckyballs and CNTs. In environmental engineering, fullerenes have been proposed as a basis for developing new technologies for nanomaterial-enabled oxidation and disinfection, improved membrane processes, adsorbents, and biofilm-resistant surfaces. This chapter details recent progress toward the development of these proposed applications. We examine the development of fullerene composite materials using CNTs to strengthen membranes and modify membrane surface chemistry. We also explore the use of fullerene nanomaterials to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the basis for a range of new technologies including in situ generation of oxidants to destroy trace organic compounds, new strategics for disinfection, the inhibition of biofilm development, and reduced biofouling. The use of fullerenes in conjunction with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is considered as an advanced disinfection process (ADP) for viral inactivation.
