07/07/2023
By Kwok Fan Chow
Location: Olney Hall, Room 518
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Time: 10 a.m.
Committee Chair:
Prof. James Reuther, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Committee Members:
Prof. James Whitten, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Prof. Yuyu Sun, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Prof. Marina Ruths, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Abstract:
The focus of this study is to investigate the efficacy of porous photo polymerization- induced self-assembly synthesized gels (PISA gels) for the removal of microplastic and nanoplastic contaminants in aqueous solutions. The aim is to develop a highly effective and environmentally friendly method for the separation and purification of water systems contaminated with these persistent pollutants.
Porous PISA gels have shown promise as adsorbent materials due to their unique structural characteristics, which provide a large surface area, and a high capacity, for adsorption. This study aims to exploit these features to selectively capture and remove microplastics and nanoplastics from aqueous solutions. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the electrostatic interactions between positively charged porous gels and negatively charged carboxylic acid functionalized microplastic and nanoplastic particles.
The experimental approach involves synthesizing gels using a controlled polymerization induced self-assembly process. The resulting gels are then characterized to determine their porosity and surface morphology which are crucial factors for effective adsorption. To evaluate the efficiency of the porous PISA gels in removing microplastics and nanoplastics, a series of batch adsorption experiments are conducted. Aqueous solutions containing known concentrations of microplastic and nanoplastic particles are brought into contact with the porous gels over a specific period of time, allowing for the adsorption process to occur. The concentrations of the plastic contaminants in the solutions before and after adsorption are analyzed using analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry and microscopy. The findings derived from the initial adsorption experiments yield valuable insights regarding the adsorption capacity and efficiency of the positively charged porous PISA gels. Various factors are deliberately manipulated in a systematic manner to optimize the adsorption process, including the length of the hydrophilic stabilizer responsible for the positive charge content, as well as the degree of polymerization of the hydrophobic core, which influences the morphology of the PISA nanoparticles. Moreover, parameters such as contact time and initial concentration of contaminants are also varied to explore their impact on the adsorption process optimization. By comprehensively investigating and manipulating these factors, a better understanding can be gained regarding the adsorption behavior of the porous PISA gels, facilitating the development of strategies to enhance their adsorption capacity and overall efficiency.
The findings of this study contribute to the development of an effective method for the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from aqueous solutions using porous PISA gels. The potential applications of these gels in water treatment and environmental remediation hold promise for addressing the growing concern over the presence of plastic pollutants in various water systems.
All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.