Portable and efficient graphene-oxide based multistage filtration unit for water purification

Abstract In recent times, ensuring availability of adequate supply of potable water for its citizens is of great concern for nations across the globe. Water purification is a matter of high immediacy in developing countries, where enough supply of clean drinking water is unavailable. Globally, in consideration of the water-related diseases, assurance of an affordable, scalable water treatment infrastructure is of paramount significance. Many states in India face are confronted by scarcity of safe water and pollution, evoked mainly by anthropogenic activities. Majority of the population is unable to either access or afford safe drinking water. More than 60% of this population rely on groundwater for the purpose of drinking alone and on surface waters for all other purposes. In this era of high-water necessity, the aim of this paper is to develop a handy personal, water purifier, which is a ubiquitous, cost-effective access to healthy potable water for humans. This portable water purifier is a multi-stage filter constituted of a fabric filter, graphene-oxide coated sand filter, vetiver grass filter, and a UV filtration system. Water quality test show drastic reductions in the total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, chloride and calcium ions. Implementation of this filtration unit in water-stressed countries is expected to serve as an efficient and affordable appliance for daily consumption of water.