Lightweight, Portable, Rapid Water Purification System: Capacitive Deionization and -Electrochemical Disinfection for High-Quality Warfighter Sustainment

Global Graphene Group and Novum Nano propose developing novel electrochemical disinfection (ECD) and capacitive deionization (CDI) electrodes using graphene, MXene, and MnFe?O? nanoparticles (NPs) to provide potable water at the point of need. This system is environmentally compatible, as it operates without chemical additives, is suitable for portable applications, has low operational costs, and functions at ambient temperature and pressure. The system can be powered by renewable energy sources and efficiently inactivates a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and algae, under mild conditions. In CDI, traditional materials like carbon nanomaterials and activated carbon are used for ion removal via electrical double layer (EDL) formation; however, EDL-based mechanisms have yet to reach commercially viable capacitive performance. To address this, we are exploring alternative redox and faradaic reactions using MnFe?O? and MXene, materials that demonstrate high electrosorption capacity and rapid adsorption/desorption kinetics. For disinfection, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), MXene, and MnFe?O? will be incorporated into electrode fabrication. MXeneĺs conductivity, large surface area, transition metal redox activity, and tunable surface chemistry make it highly effective for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in electrochemical and photocatalytic processes. Similarly, MnFe?O?ĺs manganese (Mn▓?/Mn│?) and iron (Fe▓?/Fe│?) redox cycling supports ROS generation, enhancing the electrodeĺs disinfection capabilities. Together, these advanced materials show significant potential to improve CDI performance and enable efficient electrochemical water disinfection.