Materials Science & Nanobiotechnology

Biography

Lee D Wilson is an Associate professor of Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. He specializes in Physical Chemistry and Materials Science with an established research program on the development of new types of biomaterial adsorbents and materials that will have a tremendous impact on areas such as the environment, biotechnology, medicine, chemical delivery/separation systems and membrane materials for water treatment and purification. He obtained a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, SK.) and completed a PDF with the National Research Council of Canada (Steacie Institute) within the Functional Materials Program in Ottawa, Ontario. He and his group have published more than 150 research articles in diverse areas of Physical Chemistry, Environmental and Materials Science

Abstract

The uncontrolled release of nutrients in aquatic environments globally and the resulting effects of eutrophication and excessive algae growth. Biopolymer flocculants and adsorbents offer a unique green chemistry strategy for the controlled removal of oxyanion species in water and wastewater due to their molecular tunability and sustainability. In the case of solid-liquid treatment systems, the use of chemical additives and occurence of secondary pollution is reduced relative to conventional treatment methods.This presentation will provide an overview of research progress at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) related to the materials design and characterization of biopolymer platforms as adsorbent materials for uptake of environmentally relevant anions. In particular, case studies of sorbents with high affinity toward oxyanion species are described, where synthetic modification of biopolymers reveals enhanced physicochemical properties related to adsorption and responsive behaviour to external stimuli (pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc). Sustainable materials that show reversible adsorption–desorption processes and high efficiency P_i removal using green chemistry (surface functionalization, cross-linking, and composite formation). This research is anticipated to contribute advanced functional materials for oxyanion waterborne contaminants for controlled removal and targeted water treatment processes.