Volume 2 Issue 5, May 2024

Nanotechnology-based semipermeable membranes have been actively studied for their potential application in the production of clean water. Fundamental nanotechnology research has been turned into award-winning water industry products.

Proton transfer time-of-flight mass spectrometry offers a new analytical tool to measure aqueous concentrations of volatile analytes in real time by the approach of headspace sampling, holding significant promise for advancing understanding of water chlorination chemistry.

Complete defluorination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by a non-thermal technology is not easy to achieve. A rationally designed photochemical–electrochemical treatment train realizes complete defluorination of PFAS mixtures in complex water matrices.

Electrodialysis with redox-active electrodes produces high-value salts from brine with minimal external electrical power.

Detailed modelling elucidates how increased vegetation water use in a warmer climate will reduce groundwater recharge, storage and subsequent exfiltration to further exacerbate declines in Colorado mountain headwater streamflow.

Recent learnings in non-sewered sanitation remain fragmented; this Review integrates findings into one consistent terminology to identify synergies in scientific findings and explore future potential application of new technologies.

This study employs a high-resolution, integrated hydrological model extending 400 m into the subsurface. Application of the model in a representative headwater basin in the Colorado River shows that groundwater storage loss will amplify streamflow losses in a warmer world.

Chloramine is one of the most widely used disinfection methods for drinking water, and monitoring the complex reactions is still challenging. The proton transfer time-of-flight mass spectrometry developed here offers great sensitivity in measuring the kinetics of disinfectant decay in water.

Demonstrating the complete defluorination of PFAS confirms PFAS mineralization and mitigated risk. The design of a UV/sulfite–electrochemical oxidation process achieved complete defluorination of various PFAS and removal of organics in aqueous film-forming foam.

There is a pressing need to develop effective treatment technologies for 6PPD-quinone, a newly discovered micropollutant, given its prevalent presence in water. The proposed advanced oxidation of IO₄⁻ activation under solar light irradiation achieves efficient degradation of 6PPD-quinone at environmental concentration levels.

A ceramic-based metal–organic framework can be used to realize nanoporous membranes with improved stability over polymeric membranes.

An electrodialysis desalination process based on zinc–iodine redox reactions enables brine valorization with high efficiency of water recovery.

A sustainable and chemical-free strategy for superoxide generation based on rechargeable carbonaceous supercapacitors can enable effective pollutant abatement.