Access to safe drinking water is considered a fundamental human right; when access is denied there are widespread health, education and economic implications that are exacerbated by rapid urbanization in developing nations. Yet even in the United States, the existence of a reliable water supply does not guarantee adequate water quality. Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and trace organics are being detected across our water supply, and we need to develop low-cost, sustainable materials to treat such water contaminants. Zinc oxide nanomaterials were prepared using multiple techniques, including ethanol-based precipitation and biomass templating; all showed the ability to photocatalytically degrade a range of organic compounds, from standard dyes such as methylene blue to antibiotics like ciprofloxacin. These nanoparticles were infused into a polymer foam made via a sugar templating technique, which left a porous foam decorated with ZnO particles. During flow experiments, the ZnO-infused foam was able to remove five times as much ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution as a blank (control) foam. To understand how such materials might be received by the public, we have conducted original survey experiments to gauge the American public’s understanding of the issues posed by water contaminants, as well as their willingness to use such a device to treat their water.

Hierarchical polymer foams for photocatalyzed water treatment of emerging contaminants: Science, technology and policy implications

256th National Meeting (2018)

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