Tam, Michael (University of Waterloo)

Purpose

Toxic contaminants from manufacturing operations (e.g. chemical plants) and human activities (e.g. detergents, shampoos, pesticides and fertilizers) continue to accumulate in our water systems, such as surface waters (e.g. rivers, resevoirs etc), and underground waters (e.g. aquifers, and water table). Current technologies cannot remove trace amounts of pharmaceutical and personal home care ingredients due to their size and extremely low levels. The proposed research will develop functional magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) and a separation process that can be used to selectively remove and concentrate these organic aromatic compounds present in processed waste and drinking water systems. The magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are prepared using polymeric colloids as scaffolds, where ferric ions bound to the matrix of the colloids are oxidized to iron oxides. These MNPs possess superparamagnetic properties, and can be captured by an applied magnetic field. The MNPs can be functionalized with cyclodextrins on their surface (FMNPs) that will selectively bind these organic contaminants, via the host-guest property of cyclodextrins (CD). The FMNPs with bound contaminants can be captured using a high gravity magnetic separator, and the contaminants are subsequently separated from the FMNPs, which are then recycled and reused. The feasibility of such a technology will be tested in a pilot scale separation process (PSSP), where detailed analysis on its effectiveness will be evaluated. We believe this technology will provide a novel and alternative approach for two types of applications; namely (1) water testing and monitoring by improving and enhancing the detection of extremely low concentration of contaminants, and (2) water treatment and purification by removing low levels of contaminants that cannot be efficiently removed using existing technology. The proposed technology will enhance Canada's leadership in water treatment and detection technology. Such technology is critically needed in many developing countries, such as China and India, which will bring substantial economic benefits to Canada and create new jobs for Canadians.