English Project

Obtaining a nanofilter by adding functionalized carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix.

Description of the problem and research question

Air pollution in the city of Medellín is usually attributed to two sources: on the one hand, fixed sources, industries that generate waste during their manufacturing process, and on the other hand, mobile sources, burning fossil fuels and emitted gases. by automobiles. Both types of sources produce polluting agents such as: carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and particulate matter, among others. Of these agents, the one that has the greatest impact on humans is particulate matter. This gas can be found in liquid and solid form and is classified into three types of particles according to their size, PM10µ, PM2.5µ and PM1.0µ.

The particles this project is focusing on is at PM 2.5. According to an article by C.linares and J. Díaz (2008) "In the case of PM2.5, their size makes them 100% breathable as they travel deep into the lungs, penetrating the respiratory system and depositing in the alveoli pulmonary, can even reach the bloodstream "Due to this, it is harmful and creates multiple conditions such as: ischemic heart diseases, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, hepatitis, among others. Taking into account that its main source of production is mobile phones and the amount of daily emissions that this represents, PM2.5µ represents a great health risk, therefore, it carries a great impact on public health.

In closed spaces, the air flow is lower and consequently the concentration of PM2.5µ is higher, for this reason, they have a higher degree of toxicity than outside. For this reason, these conditions are constituted as a risk factor; and, in turn, the people who tend to spend a greater amount of time in these spaces are the most affected population.

Because homes, workplaces, among others, are considered risky, the most common way to treat this problem is through the use of ventilation systems, ozonators and filters. However, these present several drawbacks, firstly, ventilation systems are expensive, difficult to install and can be ineffective. For their part, the ozonizers eliminate the suspension of the particle, but due to the size of the PM2.5µ it quickly returns to suspension. Lastly, filters with a pore of this diameter quickly become saturated, requiring regular maintenance and requiring a constant air flow to be effective.

For all the above, this research focuses on carbon nanotube filters, used as an alternative solution and what is intended is to optimize their performance. This purpose will be carried out through the use of functionalized carbon nanotubes, deposited in a polymeric matrix, so that, when implemented in a filtering system, it traps the PM2.5µ and decreases, more effectively, the concentration of these particles in closed environments.

Thus, the problematizing question is

To what extent is a PM2.5 filtering process in closed spaces optimized by implementing a composite of functionalized carbon nanotubes deposited in a polymeric matrix?

General objective and specific objectives

Overall objective

-Optimize a PM2.5 filtering process in closed spaces by implementing a composite of functionalized carbon nanotubes deposited in a polymeric matrix

Specific objectives

Analyze the methods of polymerization and functionalization of nanotube, and use the most feasible.

Examine the most convenient procedure for adding functionalized carbon nanotubes to the polymeric matrix and to guarantee pore size.

Exercise the polymerization and functionalization methods, to later make the additive.

Evaluate the efficiency of the composite created in different scenarios, such as: in a place where there is a high, medium and low amount of pm.25.