• Primarily, inorganic matrices such as zeolites (inorganic and natural) will be explored as potential membranes for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous streams (via pervaporative distillation or pressurised membrane methods), or alternatively as materials for metal removal through continuous ion-exchange.
  • The project will focus on intrinsic material design (i.e. zeolite synthesis and design), in order to develop more selective membranes, and also reaction engineering, to optimise the utilisation of existing membranes in hitherto unexplored methods). The primary focal point of this study is to develop novel, scalable and economically-viable membrane methods for the decontamination of ground water in developing countries.
  • In addition, PhD students in the Hammond group are expected to participate in multiple projects. As such, opportunities to employ the developed membranes in other fields, particularly catalytic reaction separation processes, will also be explored.