Architecture and Aerogel of Ultrathin Metal Oxide Nanosheets for Arsenic Removal from Contaminated Water

The presence of arsenic in natural waters, mainly in groundwater, is a worldwide problem. An ideal adsorbent for arsenic removal should have a suitable particle size or uniformly accessible pores, high surface area, and decent physical and/or chemical stability. In this project, we will carry out following studies to promote contaminated water arsenic removal studies:Developing ultra-thin (few atomic layer thick) metal oxide nanosheets, which possess ultra-high surface area and superb physical and chemical stability for arsenic removal in contaminated water.Developing techniques to fabricate metal oxide nanosheets architecture and aerogel or decorate metal oxide nanosheets with magnetic particles for easy liquid/solid separation of absorbent from the contaminated water.With a successful implementation of this project, it is expected a series of ultra-thin metal oxide nanosheets with high surface area, excellent arsenic removal capability and easy liquid/solid separation characteristic can be fabricated, which may pave the way to apply metal oxide nanosheets for environment improvements.