(650g) Functional Coatings for Clean Air and Water Supplies

Air quality and water safety directly impact public health and human well-being. Typical international metropolises such as New York and Hong Kong, generally have dense populations and well-developed infrastructure, while buildings consume a significant proportion of total electricity. High-rise and high-density buildings rely on intricate air conditioning and water distribution systems, not only reducing energy efficiency but also posing significant exposure risks to environmental pollutants and contamination.

Ionic liquids possess intrinsic antimicrobial properties, strong chemical affinity, high stability and low volatility, which make them particularly suitable for environmental and healthcare applications. In collaboration with governmental, NGO and industrial partners, interdisciplinary team from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed innovative solutions based on ionic liquids to indoor air pollution, water contamination and pipe biofouling. This presentation will showcase how the HKUST team designed and fabricated ionic liquid-based functional coatings, manipulated their physicochemical properties, optimized device construction and system integration, and implemented them into practical applications. This presenter will highlight the R&D process, technology translation pathway and societal impact of these innovations developed for new air purification and disinfection systems, and anti-corrosion, anti-biofouling and anti-biofilm water pipelines.