Glassy Metallic Nanotube Arrays-Based Solid-Liquid Triboelectric Nanosensor for Wastewater Contaminants Sensing and Its Treatment by Thermocatalysts
Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
ISSN
1616301X
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Kaswan, Kuldeep
Khan, Arshad
Chatterjee, Subhodeep
Ray, Meenakshi
Haji, Helmi Son
Joshi, Ravindra
Pal, Arnab
Wang, Tsung-Shing
Chu, Jinn P
Abstract
Ensuring access to clean water remains a global challenge, while conventional contaminant detection and treatment demand high energy. Here, multifunctional metallic nanotube arrays (MeNTAs) engineered with tunable compositions and wettability are reported, enabling self-powered sensing and thermocatalytic remediation. Ni-W-Ni MeNTAs, generating the highest triboelectric voltage, are integrated into droplet-mode liquid-solid triboelectric nanosensors (DLS-TENSs) for detecting Cr6+, Pb2+, and Hg2+, achieving rapid responses within 20 ms. For biological sensing and remediation, superhydrophilic W-SS MeNTAs are employed. Functionalization with Au nanoparticle-aptamers allowed highly sensitive E. coli detection, while Bi2Te3 coatings facilitated thermocatalytic H2O2 generation, leading to efficient bacterial inactivation (97%) and Cr6+ (95%) reduction. To demonstrate practical utility, a wireless sensing bottle is developed for real-time detection of heavy metals and bacteria in wastewater. Integration of sensing and treatment modules enables simultaneous on-site monitoring and purification. This work introduces a cost-effective, portable, and self-powered platform for advanced water treatment, highlighting the versatility and real-world potential of MeNTAs.
Subjects
heavy-metal ions
metallic alloys
thermocatalysis
triboelectric nanosensors
water treatment
SDGs
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Inc
Type
journal article