(272a) Recent Advancements in Reactive Electrochemical Membrane Development for Water Treatment

Membrane filtration and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are two technologies that are being increasingly used in water treatment applications. These methods are often used in tandem to treat impaired water supplies or to facilitate water recycling. However, both of these technologies are often characterized with high capital and operating costs and a large reactor footprint. The development of more compact, less expensive hybrid technologies could significantly contribute to water treatment applications on many levels. In this talk I will discuss our ongoing research efforts aimed at the synthesis and characterization of novel, conductive reactive electrochemical membranes (REMs) that both filter and electrochemically destroy water contaminants. The REMs consist of conductive ceramic substoichiometric titanium dioxide (Ti_nO_2n-1) membranes and have shown exceptional promise for the removal of a broad range of contaminants, including nitrate, ammonia, and various organic contaminants and pathogens. A combination of electrochemical oxidation/reduction experiments, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, and density functional theory modeling was used to develop a mechanistic understanding of the interaction of water contaminants and membrane foulants at the REM. Results from this work are being used to develop more efficient and compact treatment technologies, including ‘self cleaning’ membranes and multi-functional point-of-use water treatment devices.