Geopolymer monoliths for antimicrobial removal from wastewater

Overview

Geopolymers are inorganic cross-linked polymers useful materials due to their insulating properties, mechanical strength, adsorbent capacity, inherent resistance to temperature and strong acids/bases. Geopolymers can be tailored for specific contaminants by molecularly imprinting the contaminant of choice, leaving an imprint for the target molecule to be adsorbed.

By incorporating activated carbon, conductive geopolymers can be created, which allows for electro-oxidation of adsorbed organic compounds into carbon dioxide, completely removing contaminants from the waste stream.

Strategies like this one are promising for the removal of anti-microbials from wastewater. The presence of anti-microbial medications in water has led to anti-microbial resistance wherein the microbes become resistant to antimicrobial drugs designed to kill them. This process results in difficult-to-treat infections which are potentially life-threatening for patients.

Typical treatment of microbial laden water uses adsorption, which removes organic contaminants onto active sites. But a secondary process is required to recover the organic contaminants from the resin, and subsequently destroy them.

This project aims to create conductive geopolymers, from mining and energy by-products, for application in the removal and destruction of anti-microbials.

Although electro-oxidation (destruction of organic contaminants) is not the primary focus of this investigation, the creation of novel materials will serve as a basis for future investigations.

Research engagement

The specific activities will be tailored to your study level and availabilities, but will generally include readings and lab-based work. Assisted data collection can also be imbedded, tailored to the students interests in the field.

Research activities

Students will work in a well-established, highly-collaborative research group environment, using the most advanced instrumentation available at CARF, providing an effective and rich learning experience.

Outcomes

Outcomes of the project include developing knowledge and skills in:

• Creation of conductive geopolymers from mining and energy by-products using an environmentally friendly method
• Physical, chemical and electrical characterisation of produced geopolymers (assisted data collection)
• Benchmarking the efficiency of produced geopolymers to commercially available adsorbents using industrial and analytical chemistry skills

Skills and experience

You must have a willingness to learn, be motivated, and have a keen interest in solving scientific problems.

While experience in industrial chemistry, analytical chemistry, or process/chemical engineering is desirable, it is not required.

Start date

20 November, 2024

End date

16 February, 2025

Location

E block, QUT Gardens Point

Additional information

Please contact me if you wish to discuss any aspects of the project!

Keywords

• anti-microbial
• geopolymer
• adsorbtion
• contaminent
• inorganic
• wastewater
• water
• waste

Contact

Dr Katrina Wruck

Email: kj.wruck@qut.edu.au