Materials Chemistry for Environmental Applications
One aspect of sustainable chemistry is to enable technologies that can be used to minimize environmental and climate-related problems, and in this course you will study how materials chemistry can be used for this purpose.
The course covers the principles of materials syntheses and process engineering to address:
- CO2 capture and storage
- The use of CO2 as a base chemical
- Water purification
- Resource recovery
- Microplastic removal, et c.
Aspects of using biobased and sustainable resources for production of materials will also be within the focus of the course. Additionaly, the course also involves characterization of critical properties of materials. Methods for balancing the positive impact power of materials with the negative impact of their production are introduced.
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Course structure
Here are some of the topics that will be covered during the course:
- Pollution remediation and related circularity concepts (process efficiency, recyclability, recovery of valuable chemicals, end-of-use)
- Introduction to membrane-based processes, associated materials and characterisation
- Introduction to adsorption-driven processes, associated materials and characterisation
- Porous materials used in water treatment processes
- Biobased materials for water treatment
- Biobased hybrid materials for water purification
- Photocatalytic processes and materials for water purification
- Nanoporous materials (adsorbents) for air treatment and gas separation
- Membrane materials for air treatment and gas separation
- Processes for water purification, air treatment and gas separation, energy efficiency and cost
- CO2 capture and storage (CCS)
- CO2 as a base chemical, CO2 capture and utilization (CCU).
Laboratory exercises
Group activity with focus on:- Processing and characterization of materials for environmental applications
- Performing life cycle analyses (LCA) and critically evaluating the sustainability of the developed materials.
You will prepare a poster and present to the department.
Seminars
Seminars will involve group work and cover:- Performing a literature review about a given class of material for environmental remediation and prepare a report
- Suggesting possible new material concepts to mitigate climate change and environmental pollution
- Discussing the pros and cons of the presented material with respect to sustainability aspects.
You will give a presentation in class, and act as an opponent for other groups.
Modules
- Part 1: Theory, 4 ECTS
- Part 2: Laboratory exercises, 2.5 ECTS
- Part 3: Seminar, 1 ECTS
Teaching format
The course consists of lectures, group work, laboratory exercises, and seminar preparation and presentation. All three parts should be completed to recieve a final grade.
Assessment
- Part 1: Theory - assessed by graded written examination (A-F grades)
- Part 2: Laboratory exercises - assessed by written reports (Pass or Fail grades)
- Part 3: Seminar - assessed by an oral presentation and a written report (Pass or Fail grades)
Examiner
Aji Mathew
aji.mathew@mmk.su.se
+46 8161256 (office)and
Niklas Hedin
niklas.hedin@mmk.su.se
+46 8162417 (office) -
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Lecture handouts, reading material provided by teachers and instructions for laboratory exercises (electronic format).
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Course reports
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Meet us
Meet our teachers
Professor Aji Mathew has strong research activity on water treatment with special emphases on nanocellulose based charged membranes for adsorption. Processing of biobased nanoparticles and hybrids as well as in depth characterisation of surface chemistry, pore structure and adsorption processes.
Professor Niklas Hedin has current research focus on adsorbents and catalysts for separation or reduction of carbon dioxide, and on carbon materials derived from hydrothermal carbonization. A multipronged approach is applied, that includes among other tools molecular spectroscopy.
He regularly teaches on both first and second level courses.
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Contact
Course coordinator and examiner
Course coordinator and examiner
Chemistry Section & Student Affairs Office- Visiting address
Arrhenius laboratory, room M345
Svante Arrhenius väg 16 A-D
- Here you will find:
Student administrator
International coordinator
Study advisor
Director of studies
- Office hours
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 09.00-11.30 and 12.30-15.00
- Phone hours
Monday and Wednesday 10.00-11.30 and 12.30-15.00
