Panasonic develops new water purification system using photocatalyst technology

Japanese multinational electronics company Panasonic has developed a new water purification system that is capable of decontaminating groundwater in isolated areas.

The newly developed photocatalyst system can detoxify polluted water by harmful heavy metals, such as arsenic, chromium, and persistent organic matter at a reaction rate of up to 100 times that of conventional methods.

The photocatalyst is recyclable and easy to collect from the polluted water after detoxification, making it suitable for small-sized water purification systems in developing countries with requirements for safe and low cost water.

The technology has a lower impact on the environment in comparison to conventional chemical water treatments, as no consumption of chemical materials is carried out during the photocatalytic water treatment.

It uses synthesis technology of the photocatalyst by employing the inherent electrostatic interaction between two particles, and slurry technology to control the transition between the particulate photocatalyst aggregation and the suspension.

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Image: Headquarters of Panasonic in Kadoma-shi, Osaka, Japan. Photo: courtesy of Pokarin.