Overview
Topic status: In progress
The main aim of this study is to synthesise organoclays and evaluate their effectiveness as adsorption agents for cleaning up organic water pollutants. Although organoclays have long been used to remove oil or other contaminants from water, they have not been comprehensively explored as absorbents for emerging water pollutants such as hormones and pharmaceuticals which are the main obstacles to the acceptance of recycled water by the community. To address this problem, synthesis of organoclays will be undertaken; the products will be fully characterised and comprehensively tested under laboratory and real-world conditions for their ability to remove organic water pollutants.
Research activities
The research activities undertaken during this project are:
- synthesis of new organoclays
- characterisation of the new organoclays
- absorption tests on the organoclays.
Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes are:
- new and fully organoclays
- absorption test results on the organoclays
- a full report of the work plus all of the reaction products and spectra.
Duration of project
8 weeks; (Mid-November 2011 to February 2012)
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact a supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Sara Couperthwaite
Professor Godwin Ayoko
Emeritus Professor Ray Frost
