New materials for in-situ mitigation of persistent contaminants in soil, groundwater and sediments
The project is a strategic recruitment package of WISE Fellow Tetyana Budnyak in the frames of the KAW-WISE initiative. The research group is dedicated to developing innovative hybrid nanocomposite materials and exploring their applications in mitigating pollution caused by both emerging and legal contaminants.
Details
- Period: 2024-01-01 – 2027-12-31
- Budget: 20,000,000 SEK
- Funder: WISE
- Type of funding: Project Grant
Description
The research involves the creation of materials and methods to effectively immobilize, sorb, or degrade emerging groundwater pollutants, e.g. per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, persistent organic pollutants, and metallic contaminants. We are also developing techniques for integrating sustainable nanocomposite sorbents into the isolating layers that help retain contaminants in underwater sediments. These sustainable hybrid nanocomposite materials are synthesized using functional macromolecules sourced from wood, agriculture, and marine biomass, or in combination with other functional porous materials with complementary properties. The project covers support for Assistant Professor Tetyana Budnyak and four group members: two PhD students and two postdocs, who will collaborate with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ångström Lab, UU.