Advanced nanocomposites for environmental and biomedical applications

Nanomaterials are gaining prominence in both scientific real-life applications, including biomedicine, catalysis, energy, and photonics. This is due to the unique characteristics that the usually benign materials exhibit in the nanoscale. This rise in prominence is important as nanocomposites are projected to introduce a new era of sustainable technologies. Current technologies are leading to escalated environmental consequences through waste, pollution, and energy shortages, most notably in the most deprived areas of the world. Novel nanocomposites aim to remedy this crisis through the development of green, energy efficient and cost-effective materials, whilst maintaining or improving upon efficiency and robustness. The development of these nanocomposites can also be seen as a chance to give greater access of high-quality materials to under-developed nations, who struggle to address concerns with issues such as environmental pollution and healthcare.

This PhD thesis outlines the development of two different nanomaterials, titanosilicates and polymeric cryogels with incorporated iron oxide nanoparticles.

The titanosilicate branch of the project oversaw the development of highly porous novel titanosilicate nanomaterials, which were shown to be efficient adsorptive-photocatalytic agents for use in organic water pollutant removal without the need of additional modifications. The synthesis of titanosilicates was further optimized by the adjustment of the reagents used, with hydrocarbons substituted with cooking oils in the templating process. Finally preliminary work has begun on the development of a cheap and easy to produce 3D printed filtration device to incorporate the titanosilicates into.

The cryogel branch has seen the development of a novel magnetic hyperthermia-based drug release platform, which can be effectively controlled via magnetic hyperthermia and cryogel iii shape. Shape tunability is a novel discovery which has high potential for customizable wound dressings, amongst other applications. The materials used to develop these nanomaterials are sustainable, biocompatible and easy to access, increasing the likelihood of widespread adoption.