Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a new MoS2-based filter for water desalination that they claim might be cheaper and more effective than the filters used today. This filter reportedly performs better than graphene-based ones tested in the past.
This filter is made of single-layer sheet of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) with nanopores in them. Graphene membranes are thinner than MoS2 filters, but MoS2 still seems to be more efficient - the slightly thicker filter gives MoS2 more physical strength to withstand pressure, and, unlike graphene filters, they are more easily manufactured.
The scientists state that it will take a lot more effort to bring this lab-built filter to reality, but are optimistic about the material's potential to ease the world's drinking water shortage.