Development of nanoparticles and molecular imprinted polymers-immobilized electrospun polymeric nanofibrous mats for environmental remediation

Project Member(s): Shon, H., Tijing, L., Phuntsho, S.

Funding or Partner Organisation: CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE)

Start year: 2014

Summary: As conventional remediation methods, such as disposal to landfill, isolation or pump-and-treat, have been proved to be ineffective and not sustainable in various situations, there has been a considerable increase in research for the development of novel in-situ remediation technologies. This project aims to design a novel remediation technique for in situ groundwater clean-up of emerging contaminants. Manufactured nanoparticles (MNPs) are increasingly used for this application as they demonstrate great performance for the removal of a wide range of common soil and groundwater contaminants. However, one of the main issues related to this remediation technology is the high mobility of the MNPs in the subsurface and their potential to carry contaminants away from the contaminated zone. To overcome this issue, this project will combine fundamental science and engineering for the manufacturing of a new method which can treat groundwater in situ by immobilizing nanoparticles onto nanofibrous mats. Additionally, molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) embedded in/on electrospun nanofibers will be also designed to selectively remove pollutants from groundwater. The remediation will be achieved by simple contact between the MNPs/MIPs immobilised onto the nanofibrous mats and the contaminants are eventually decomposed or mineralised to harmless by-products.

Publications:

Ren, J, Yao, M, Woo, YC, Tijing, LD, Kim, J-H & Shon, HK 2019, 'Recyclable nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI)-immobilized electrospun nanofiber composites with improved mechanical strength for groundwater remediation', Composites Part B: Engineering, vol. 171, pp. 339-346.
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Ren, J, Tijing, LD & Shon, HK 2017, '“Robbing behavior” and re-immobilization of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) onto electrospun polymeric nanofiber mats for trichloroethylene (TCE) remediation', Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 189, pp. 375-381.
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Ren, J, Tijing, LD & Shon, HK 2017, 'Effect of polymer ratio on nZVI loading onto Electrospun nanofiber mat for mitigating groundwater contaminants', Advanced Materials - TechConnect Briefs 2017, vol. 2, pp. 265-268.

Ren, J, Woo, YC, Yao, M, Tijing, LD & Shon, HK 2017, 'Enhancement of nanoscale zero-valent iron immobilization onto electrospun polymeric nanofiber mats for groundwater remediation', Process Safety and Environmental Protection, vol. 112, no. Part B, pp. 200-208.
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Keywords: Nanoparticles, Molecular imprinted polymers, Electrospinning, Environmental remediation.

FOR Codes: Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water in Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments (excl. Urban and Industrial Use), Water Treatment Processes, Measurement and assessment of freshwater quality (incl. physical and chemical conditions of water)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.