Selective Adsorption & Separation

The questions behind the materials.

Selective adsorption and separation exploit differences in how molecules interact with a material. This direction focuses on the relationships between pore structure, surface chemistry, composition, and uptake behaviour in liquid and gas systems.

Our work includes metal–organic frameworks and other inorganic or hybrid adsorbents. Published studies cover aqueous synthesis of ZIF-14 and rice husk ash-derived magadiite–magnetite and carbon–magnetite composites for anionic surfactant adsorption. Current member topics include magnetic magadiite-based nanocomposites from rice husk ash for surfactant removal and porous alumina, carbon, and MOF-based adsorbents for radioisotope production, radionuclide separation, and purification.

For adsorption from liquids, we examine uptake and the influence of material characteristics and operating conditions. For gas separation, the focus is on material–molecule interactions that favour selected components of a mixture. Material recovery and reuse are considered where relevant to the system, including magnetic recovery of composite adsorbents.

The central question is how material design can improve useful uptake and discrimination between molecules. Pollutant removal connects this direction with Environmental Remediation, while the emphasis here is on capture, selectivity, and separation. MOF synthesis provides a materials foundation and is distinguished from demonstrations of a specific separation application.

Approaches in this direction

Materials & systems

Keywords

Related publications