Development of Nanogel Templated and Sustainable Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications

Abstract

Water treatment is attracting increasing attention due to its important role in providing safe water for human activities. In this doctoral research, various advanced nanomaterials were developed and demonstrated in several environmental applications, such as adsorption, catalytic and membrane filtration processes. Various pH-responsive nanogels synthesized and used as colloidal scaffolds to prepare magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) with good size control. These MNPs were further functionalized with β- cyclodextrin (CD) to remove pharmaceutical residues from drinking water. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, the effect of CD loading, and pH were evaluated using a model compound, procaine hydrochloride (PrHy). This nanogel scaffold was also used to prepare silver nanoclusters via photo-induced reduction and applied for biolabeling and antimicrobial application. The MNPs were also used to impart magnetic properties to palladium loaded cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and examined in the reduction of 4-nitophenol to 4-aminophenol. A cross-linked wood fiber membrane was prepared, and the porosity was manipulated using CNC stabilized Pickering emulsion. This membrane displayed superior removal efficiencies on both cationic and anionic dyes, heavy metal ions and PFAS (PFOA and PFOS). This PhD study utilized various nanogel templated and sustainable nanomaterial for environmental applications.