Research
Title : | Hierarchically Structured Micro-Nano Pore Nanocomposite Membrane made of Ferric-Oxide Decorated-Titania-Activated-Carbon-Flyash in Carbonized Epoxy Resin as Versatile Filters for Water Purifications: Removal of Organic-Dyes-Heavy-Metals-Microbial-Pathogens |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Solid waste management, Water Pollution |
Principal Investigator : | Prof. Kamal K. Kar, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur |
Contact info : | kamalkk[at]iitk[dot]ac[dot]in; mkdas[at]iitk[dot]ac[dot]in; pmaiti[dot]mst[at]iitbhu[dot]ac[dot]in; paik[dot]bme[at]iitbhu[dot]ac[dot]in |
Details
Executive Summary : | Chemical dyes are the complex molecular structures, which are widely used in many industries such as textiles, paint, leather and food processing. The acquittal of dyes from these industries into the aquatic environment has triggered many problems to the public health due to their toxic nature and carcinogenicity. The project proposes to utilize the outstanding properties of activated carbon made of feather fiber (bio waste) i.e., high surface area. Due to its high degree of microporosity, just one gram of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 500 m2, as determined by gas adsorption. It also proposes to utilize the outstanding properties of titania, TiO2 (anatase phase). It has been made to photocatalytically mineralize pollutants (to convert into CO2 and H2O) in waste water. It offers great potential as an industrial technology for detoxification or remediation of wastewater due to several factors. The photocatalyst is inexpensive, readily available, non-toxic, chemically and mechanically stable, and has a high turnover. The project proposes to utilize the synergetic effect of co-doped titania, TiO2 (anatase phase), ferric oxide, and alumina in epoxy matrix having trimethyl amine. The project proposes to utilize industrial-waste fly ash. Materials will be characterized through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogrevimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analyser (DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), BET-surface area analyser (BET-SSA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Zeta potential device (ZPD), FT-Infra Red spectrometer (FTIR), Raman spectrometer (RS), Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS-ppb level detection), inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), surface roughness, specific gravity, thermal stability, specific heat, storage modulus, loss modulus, complex modulus, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, mechanical properties i.e., Young’s modulus, tensile strength, strain at failure, energy density, etc other mechanical properties i.e., interlaminer fracture toughness, interlaminer shear strength, stress relaxation, degree of carbonization, microstructure and fracture surface, etc (1-3). Finally 20 filters will be made to evaluate its performance as per WHO. |
Co-PI: | Prof. Malay K. Das, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, Prof. Pralay Maiti, Professor, School of Materials Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU, Dr. Pradip Paik, Associate Professor, School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (Materials Engineering & Nanoscience and Technology) University of Hyderabad, Prof. Prabhat K. Agnihotri, School of Mechanical, Materials & Energy Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, Prof. M. Ravi Sankar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, Prof. Indeerdeep Singh, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Prof. M. Balasubramanian, Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai, Prof. Jaleel Akhtar, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, Prof. Niraj Sinha, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, Prof. Anil Bhowmick, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur |
Total Budget (INR): | 2,50,00,000 |
Patents : | Three patents applied in 2014. |
Organizations involved
Implementing Agency : | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar University of Hyderabad |
Funding Agency : | Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India |