The application of graphene thin film membranes in solar harvesting for production of water and recovery of nutrients from urine

This project will graphene thin films using for water purification using solar evaporation. We will utilize an intercalation-assisted technique to prepare surfactant-free graphene dispersions. We will fabricate large-area graphene films and deposit them on filter paper through vacuum filtration, followed by thermal treatment to enhance their stability and optical properties. These films will be examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to study their structure and properties. The films optical and conductive capabilities will be tested in solar evaporation experiments, which simulate both indoor and outdoor conditions using a solar simulator and thermal camera to monitor heat distribution. The findings will support further research on photothermal materials, which use sunlight to generate heat, and will be useful for water purification and related applications. This project will provide valuable training opportunities for an intern, benefiting both the student and the participating institutions through skill-building in microscopy and material characterization.

Faculty Supervisor:

George Bepete

Student:

Partner:

Durban University of Technology

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Sustainability & the Environment; Nanotechnology; Water; Quantum Science

University:

Concordia University

Program: