Bio-inspired nanocomposite materials applicable in environmental remediation

工业过程（如沥青开采、化石燃料燃烧、矿产开采、化工制造等）造成了一些严重的环境问题，如温室气体排放、废水产生、尾矿堆积、土壤污染等。新兴的新型纳米复合材料有望解决这些问题，它将无机和/或有机化合物结合在一起，具有高表面与体积比的纳米尺度特征，并提供显着的物理和化学性能。应用于污水处理/修复的纳米复合材料的研究已经取得了重大进展。然而，尽管付出了巨大的努力，设计和生产具有成本效益的纳米复合材料用于废水处理仍然是一个重大的科学挑战。通过纳米探针对界面特性和相互作用力的基本了解将指导废水修复材料的开发。利用生态友好的方法合成纳米复合材料，同时最少使用有毒化学物质，这是另一个科学挑战。大自然为绿色材料的灵感提供了一个学校，例如，贻贝在湍流海洋中的粘附和生存能力揭示了多巴胺在新型绿色纳米复合材料开发中的重要性。

Industrial processes (e.g., bitumen extraction, fossil fuel combustion, mineral exploitation, chemical manufacturing, etc.) have caused some serious environmental issues, e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater generating, tailings accumulation, soil contamination, etc. Emerging novel nanocomposite materials are very promising for resolving these problems, which combine inorganic and/or organic compounds incorporated with high-surface-to-volume-ratio nanoscale features, and provide remarkable physical and chemical properties. Significant research efforts have been devoted to the development of nanocomposites applicable in wastewater treatment/remediation. However, despite great efforts, the design and producing of cost-effective nanocomposites in wastewater treatment still remains a major scientific challenge. A basic understanding of interfacial characteristics and interaction forces by nano-scale probes will guide the material development in wastewater remediation. Using eco-friendly approaches to synthesize nanocomposites with minimal use of toxic chemicals is another scientific challenge. Nature provides a school for green material inspiration, e.g., the adhesion and survival capability of mussels in turbulent sea unveils the importance of dopamine in novel and green nanocomposite materials development. The proposed program is to understand fundamental interaction mechanisms in bio-inspired nanocomposites applicable in wastewater remediation and to explore bio-inspired, green and morphology-controllable bottom-up synthetic pathways to grow nanoparticles in nanocomposites. In the proposed research program, I will: (i) develop techniques at micro- and nano-scale and employ direct nano-scale interaction force probes; (ii) learn from nature and develop biomimetic synthetic pathways and biomimetic nanocomposites. The long-term goal is to design and develop novel materials/technologies applicable in energy and environment, such as oil recovery improvement, wastewater treatment, tailings settling enhancement, emission controls, etc. The near-term goal is to design and develop bio-inspired nanocomposite materials which are expected to be highly efficient, biocompatible, biodegradable and cost-effective for wastewater remediation. The major outcomes will be development of bio-inspired green composite materials with enhanced functionality and improved environmental profiles applicable in energy and environment of Canada, especially the remediation of oil sands process affected water. The highly qualified personnel participating in this program will obtain interdisciplinary skills in materials science/engineering, nanotechnology, water chemistry, etc., also they will obtain academic and industrial knowledge and experience that can strengthen Alberta's and Canada's wastewater treatment management.