New advances in science and technology have led to an increased amount of contaminants released in drinking water, that the current methods of water purification are unable to completely purify. Nanotechnology has played a critical role in water purification in the use of nano-composite materials. The aim of this PhD is to further optimise the titanosilicate that the Perera group have synthesised, in its photocatalytic activity using various methods for a sustainable, eco-friendly, and safe water purification. A novel area of research that this PhD aims to also investigate is titanosilicate's ability in ion exchange and heavy metal adsorption. The possibility of incorporating immobilised optimised titanosilicate into 3D printed filtration scaffolds, testing different designs and materials for optimum purification. The use of 3D printing will increase cost-effectiveness, which will enable DAC countries to invest in affordable, sustainable, recyclable, and robust drinking-water purification, helping in providing real life solutions.
I was valedictorian in my undergraduate major of roughly 300 students in process engineering at the French University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene in Algiers, Algeria. I am also a recent MSc graduate of Kingston University with a distinction in Analytical Chemistry. My final MSc project was the photocatalysis study of titanosilicate in water purification under the supervision of Dr A. Perera. I have previously worked as a laboratory technician and am currently working as a part time pharmacy assistant.
I am extremely excited to continue my academic research career at Kingston University under the primary supervision of Dr Ayomi Perera.