Research within the Particles and Catalysis Research Group encompasses work within the following areas:
The design and optimisation of catalysts and photocatalysts is one of the most important tasks for the future technical applications of these advanced materials. In our laboratory, we apply a holistic approach which encompassed preparing novel catalyst and photocatalysts, characterising their physicochemical properties and studying their performance in water treatment, VOC removal, water splitting, and energy generation.
Aggregation and flocculation processes are widely used in the treatment of drinking water, sewage, and in mineral processing applications. Control of these processes stand to benefit from a better theoretical understanding of the phenomena that occur within them. In our laboratory, we investigate the mechanism and link between the micro-properties of the aggregated particles, and the macro-properties of the aggregation processes via a series of carefully design physical and numerical studies. In doing so, we bridge our understanding of aggregation processes in terms of simple mass fractals, with more comprehensive and realistic models that can be applied for added value in practice.
Our laboratory seek to exploit the knowledge and understanding gained in nano science and technology to biological systems. The goal is to prescribe, design and control the properties of nanomaterials so that it would be useful for specific biological and biomedical applications. Some of our projects in this area also aim to address specifically the challenging issues of complex biological-nanoparticle interactions via carefully designed experiments, characterisation and modelling. The understanding gain will help in the rational design of various nanomaterials for use in bacterialcidal application, biomaterial synthesis, and in medical diagnostic, imaging and treatment.
Waste management encompasses issues such as landfill operation (segregation, classification and stabilisation) and greenhouse gases remediation. The impacts of incorrect disposal of solid wastes to land on the local environment and community have been receiving regular attention on a global basis. In our laboratory, we assess the suitability of solid wastes for disposal at landfill through experimental and numerical modelling studies, and developed refined leaching procedures. The work has so far seen the generation of a position paper which provided a critical review of the current state of solid waste management/classification both overseas and in Australia with identification of any gaps in the knowledge.
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