Removal of Metals from Water with Semiconducting Aerogels from Chalcogenido Clusters

Northwestern researchers have developed a unique family of adsorbents (KMS) that removes toxic and precious metals from aqueous streams more effectively and at a lower cost than existing technologies. The metal sulfide based ion exchange micro-sorbent is composed of inexpensive non-toxic elements and is produced by easily scalable processes. The material is extremely cost-efficient for two reasons. It has a high capacity which minimizes the amount of material required and is recyclable following metal recovery. Further this material is effective at adsorbing metal ions at extremely low concentration levels (ppb/ppt). This technology has significant applications across a number of industries including mining oil refinery nuclear and environmental and industrial waste. More specific applications include feed water for boilers pulp and paper production cosmetics production and beverage production. • Antimony • Arsenic • Cadmium • Chromium • Cobalt • Copper • Gold •Lead • Manganese • Mercury • Nickel • Palladium • Selenium • Silver • Thallium • Uranium • Zinc Technology Applications: •Environmental Remediation •Metal Capture IP Status: Issued US Patent Nos. 7727506 and 8070959