Development of a microfluidic System of nanocomposite diamond/carbon nanotubes for atmosphere water harvesting.

• Grant number: 16/07912-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Evaldo Jose Corat
• Grantee: Romário Araújo Pinheiro
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/15857-1 - Scientific studies and innovation application on CVD diamond, DLC and carbon nanostructures obtained by chemical vapor deposition technique, AP.TEM

Abstract

In view of the increasing difficulty of obtaining potable water it becomes necessary to develop technologies that can solve the problem with low or no power consumption. The purpose of this research project is the development of a microfluidic system that can be used to harvesting water from the atmosphere. For this, the purpose of this work is the development of microchannel, formed in between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic regions, built from carbon nanotubes coated with diamond. The CVD method in its variables will be used for carbon nanotubes and diamond films grow. The control of wettability of the carbon nanotubes is obtained by treatments CO2 laser and plasma oxygen. Diamond films will be deposited on the carbon nanotubes in order to prevent them from loosening the substrate and contaminate the water. However, the major challenge of this proposal, is to maintain the alignment of the nanotubes, as well as its wetting properties after coated with diamond.

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PINHEIRO, R. A.; DAMM, D. D.; SILVA, A. A.; VOLU, R. M.; ALMEIDA, K. F.; ROSA, F. M.; TRAVA-AIROLDI, V. J.; CORAT, E. J.. Water Vapor Condensation from Atmospheric Air by Super-Hydrophobic VACNTs Growth on Stainless Steel Pipes. MRS ADVANCES, v. 4, n. 35, SI, p. 1929-1936, 2019. (12/15857-1, 16/07912-3)

PINHEIRO, ROMARIO ARAUJO; SILVA, AMANDA ARAUJO; TRAVA-AIROLDI, VLADIMIR JESUS; CORAT, EVALDO JOSE. Water vapor condensation and collection by super-hydrophilic and super-hydrophobic VACNTs. DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS, v. 87, p. 43-49, AUG 2018. (16/07912-3, 12/15857-1)

PINHEIRO, ROMARIO ARAUJO; ROSA, FILIPE MENEZES; VOLU, RENE MARTINS; DE VASCONCELOS, GETULIO; TRAVA-AIROLDI, VLADIMIR JESUS; CORAT, EVALDO JOSE. Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNT) surfaces coated with polyethylene for enhanced dew harvesting. DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS, v. 107, AUG 2020. (12/15857-1, 16/07912-3)

PINHEIRO, R. A.; DAMM, D. D.; SILVA, A. A.; VOLU, R. M.; ALMEIDA, K. F.; ROSA, F. M.; TRAVA-AIROLDI, V. J.; CORAT, E. J.. Water Vapor Condensation from Atmospheric Air by Super-Hydrophobic VACNTs Growth on Stainless Steel Pipes. MRS ADVANCES, v. 4, n. 35, p. 8-pg., 2019-01-01. (12/15857-1, 16/07912-3)