In continuous flow conditions, IIT Madras states that this silica aerogel, modified with graphene, is capable of eliminating more than 76 percent of trace pollutants at the PPM level.

A groundbreaking collaboration between researchers at IIT Madras and Tel Aviv University in Israel has resulted in the creation of an innovative aerogel adsorbent capable of effectively extracting trace pollutants from wastewater.

IIT Madras has announced, through a press release, that a silica aerogel modified with graphene has the capability to eliminate more than 76 percent of trace pollutants at the parts per million (PPM) level in ongoing flow conditions. This advancement presents a promising and sustainable solution for the purification of water on a large scale.

The leading researcher of the study was Prof Rajnish Kumar, who is the recipient of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Awardee at IIT Madras. The team also comprised of Research Scholars Subhash Kumar Sharma and P Ranjani from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras, as well as Prof Hadas Mamane from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Aerogels, also recognized as 'solid air' or 'frozen smoke,' have gained substantial recognition for their remarkable adsorption capabilities. Comprising predominantly of air, these ultralight solids serve as exceptional materials for eliminating contaminants. Furthermore, the benefits provided by these materials include adaptable surface chemistry, reduced density, and an incredibly porous structure. According to the press release, the recent publication of the findings took place in the esteemed journal Nature Scientific Reports.