Porous 3D Printed System for Synergistic Tandem Water Cleaning-Energy Generation

Non-availability of fresh water is the dire consequence of rapid industrialization and the unregulated discharge of industrial effluents. In an attempt to recover water from highly contaminated industrial wastewater, researchers have relied on developing various materials that can treat polluted water efficiently and sustainably. 3D printed materials have proved to be an emerging technology in water treatment. 2D materials have recently enhanced filter technology due to their morphological properties. This study focuses on removing salinity and organic dyes utilizing 2D Gadolinium telluride (Gd2Te3 ) coated 3D printed (2D@3DP) complex architecture. The 2D@3DP structure can potentially increase the contact time of adsorbed saline water due to its complex architecture and can remove approximate to 52% salinity from brackish water. Furthermore, methylene blue (MB) and Methyl Orange (MO) removal efficiencies are approximate to 69% and 45%, respectively. Spectroscopic and microscopic results confirm the adsorption of negatively charged chlorine ions on a positively charged 2D surface. The removal of bleaching powder is also tested for real-life applications, and approximate to 20% of the bleaching powder is adsorbed. Moreover, the 2D@3DP device exhibits an electrical signal due to impinging sodium chloride droplets from different heights, making it a sustainable solution to address water pollution. A novel 3D-printed architecture is designed with the coating of 2D Gadolinium telluride to demonstrate smart wastewater management. The porosity and high surface area of the 3D-printed system exhibit salt removal efficiency by employing the synergistic effect of polymer and 2D Gd2Te3. The research advances knowledge about the effectiveness of wastewater treatment combined with sustainable energy generation.image