Sustainable electrspun membranes for clean water applications

Access to clean drinking water and sanitation has seen substantial progress in recent time, however there is still a large part of the global population, that live mostly in rural settings, that lack this basic necessity. The UN estimates that globally one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water and two in five people lack basic hand-washing facilities. Given this escalating challenge of clean water scarcity, the UN General Assembly has initiated the Water action decade in 2019 to mobilise action and transform management of water.

About this opportunity

Membrane-based separation technologies have played a dominant role in water purification due to their effectiveness and energy efficiency. Nanofibrous membranes are a step beyond conventional membranes as they are have a large surface to volume ratio that allow them to be significantly more effective for the adsorption of environmental contaminants. Combining antimicrobial nanomaterials into nanofibrous membranes can have the advantage of effectively removing microbial and bacterial contaminants from water supplies.

The aim of this project is to develop nanomaterial doped electrospun nanofibrous membranes to remove microbial and environmental contaminants from water supplies. In this highly interdisciplinary studentship, the student will gain competency in electrospinning, green material synthesis and characterisation, analytical techniques, microbiology and toxicity testing.

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable University in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.

Supervisor:

Raechelle D’Sa - r.dsa@liverpool.ac.uk