Water filter incorporating activated carbon particles with surface-grown carbon nanofilaments

1. A filter for producing potable water comprising:

a housing including a water inlet and a water outlet; and

a filter material arranged within the housing comprising,

activated carbon particles; and

a plurality of carbon nanofilaments disposed on the surface of the activated carbon particles,

wherein the filter is operable to provide potable water by removing contaminants from a liquid water stream flowing from the water inlet to the water outlet of the housing,

wherein the plurality of carbon nanofilaments are surface-grown on the surface of the activated carbon particles.

2. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the activated carbon particles comprise micropores, mesopores, or combinations thereof.

3. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the activated carbon particles comprise wood-based activated carbon particles, coal-based activated carbon particles, peat-based activated carbon particles, pitch-based activated carbon particles, tar-based activated carbon particles, or combinations thereof.

4. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the activated carbon particles comprise fibers, spheres, irregular-shaped particles, or combinations thereof.

5. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the activated carbon particles have a size of from about 0.1 μm to about 10 mm.

6. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the carbon nanofilaments comprise single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), double-wall nanotubes (DWNTs), multi-wall nanotubes (MWNTs), nanofilaments, nanoribbons, nanohorns, or combinations thereof.

7. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the filter is configured to accommodate a flow rate of up to about 8 L/min of water.