Aggregation and Deposition Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes in Aquatic Environments

Project Information

Principal Investigator	Menachem Elimelech
Institution	Yale University
Project URL	View
Relevance to Implications	High
Class of Nanomaterial	Engineered Nanomaterials
Impact Sector	Environment
Broad Research Categories	Hazard Characterization
NNI identifier	c4-17

Funding Information

Country	USA
Anticipated Total Funding	$400,000.00
Annual Funding	$133,333.33
Funding Source	NSF
Funding Mechanism
Funding Sector	Government
Start Year	2006
Anticipated End Year	2009

Abstract/Summary

The overall objective of this research is to investigate the aggregation and deposition behavior of CNT in aquatic environments. Because of the unique dimensions and physicochemical properties of CNTs, it is likely that their aggregation and deposition behaviors are quite different than those of the much studied submicrometer-sized inorganic and organic colloidal particles. Specifically, we will examine how CNT functionalization, size of primary single CNT, aggregation (bundling) state, and aqueous solution composition affect the kinetics of aggregation and deposition/filtration in aquatic environments. This information will be used to evaluate to what extent CNTs released into natural waters may be present as larger aggregates and the potential for these aggregates to be removed due to physicochemical processes such as sedimentation and deposition/filtration.