Research Projects

The proposed work aims to address environmental issues caused by synthetic dyes, pesticides, and metal ions in the leather industry effluents. A step-wise adsorptive degradation method is proposed to recycle waste water and optimize water use. The process involves synthesizing engineered carbon impregnated with transition metals to adsorb and degrade organic pollutants, and anisotropic nanostructures to adsorb and degrade pesticides. The biopolymer-based aerogel was designed to remove metal ions chromium and arsenic from waste water. The current approach for purifying the leather industry's effluent is mainly based on filtration and coagulation, which does not effectively remove organic dyes and toxic metal ions used for dye fixation. The proposed approach involves a step-wise removal of dyes, anions, pesticides, and metal ions using developed materials for pollutants in mixed waste water. The materials are developed from biomass waste/low-cost biopolymer extracted from plants, which is further stabilized as aerogels impregnated with desired chemicals. The final water will be free from toxins, dyes, and metal ions, which can be recycled. The aerogel, a mesoporous carbon-iron oxide-based partially graphitized adsorbent, has been developed for the adsorption-removal of cationic, anionic organic dyes and hazardous chemicals like nitrophenol. The study also focuses on pesticide adsorptive degradation results, synthesizing anisotropic nanostructures of Ag and Au. The project aims to develop a lab-scale proof-of-concept, focusing on the selection of bio-polymer and bio-waste based on location and requirements.