Novel Nanostructures of Metal Oxides and Sulfides Intercalated Laponite for Catalytic Applications. The project aims to develop a novel synthesis approach for making nanocomposites of transition metal oxides and sulfides intercalated laponite clay. Such nanomaterials made by integrating template synthesis and intercalation have superior pore and surface properties promising for advanced catalytic applications. The project will provide insights into mechanisms of nanostructure formation and inter ....Novel Nanostructures of Metal Oxides and Sulfides Intercalated Laponite for Catalytic Applications. The project aims to develop a novel synthesis approach for making nanocomposites of transition metal oxides and sulfides intercalated laponite clay. Such nanomaterials made by integrating template synthesis and intercalation have superior pore and surface properties promising for advanced catalytic applications. The project will provide insights into mechanisms of nanostructure formation and interactions of molecular species during synthesis. The best catalysts screened will be tested for two important reactions to establish the relationships between processing parameters, nanostructural properties and catalytic performance. Optimised synthesis parameters for high catalytic performance will be obtained. The project contributes to significant knowledge creation in nanomaterials science and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. T ....Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The application is rapid. The successful development of the material has enormous economic benefits to Australia, providing a new industry with many employees. This new industry has the potential to bring great wealth to Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,000.00
Summary
An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in re ....An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in research across multiple disciplines, including mineralogy, materials science and engineering, and life science. The instrument, to be sited at QUT, would be available to researchers from the three Brisbane universities, and would greatly enhance the regional capabilities for characterisation of materials.Read moreRead less
Composite Mesoporous Solids of TiO2 Nano-Crystals and Silicate as Photo-catalysts for Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water. TiO2 photo-catalysis is a promising advanced technique for breaking down organic contaminants and bacteria in water and air. This project will develop a novel class of photo-catalysts, the composite meosporous compounds of anatase and layered clay, by combining templated synthesis and pillaring techniques. They will exhibit a high photo-catalytic efficiency with sup ....Composite Mesoporous Solids of TiO2 Nano-Crystals and Silicate as Photo-catalysts for Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water. TiO2 photo-catalysis is a promising advanced technique for breaking down organic contaminants and bacteria in water and air. This project will develop a novel class of photo-catalysts, the composite meosporous compounds of anatase and layered clay, by combining templated synthesis and pillaring techniques. They will exhibit a high photo-catalytic efficiency with superior properties for practical operations because of the framework of large porosity arising from the arrangement of discrete anatase nano-particles within the silicate layers. The project involves mostly fundamental research into material synthesis, colloid and surface chemistry and photo-catalysis, and aims to develop advanced techniques for water treatment.Read moreRead less
Development of Effective Bentonite Adsorbents for Colour Removal from Wastewater and Process Streams. This project aims to develop cost-effective adsorbents from natural bentonite clay for the removal of colour organics in water and other process streams. A new method for modifying the clays will be developed and investigated systematically. Adsorption of various dyes onto clay-based adsorbents will be examined to obtain a better understanding of the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics. The proj ....Development of Effective Bentonite Adsorbents for Colour Removal from Wastewater and Process Streams. This project aims to develop cost-effective adsorbents from natural bentonite clay for the removal of colour organics in water and other process streams. A new method for modifying the clays will be developed and investigated systematically. Adsorption of various dyes onto clay-based adsorbents will be examined to obtain a better understanding of the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics. The project will study the effects of various parameters to optimise the processing conditions for maximum removal efficiency. The project contributes to the mineral industry in value-adding and will also lead to cost-effective processes for water pollution control.Read moreRead less
Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychologica ....Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychological burdens to patients' family and community. This project will encourage inter-disciplinary approaches to research and train highly skilled researchers both in neuroscience and nanobiotechnology to advance Australia's industrial competitiveness.Read moreRead less