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Project Code [2007-DRP-1-S5]

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Project title

The Protection of Water Resources: New Materials for the Sensing of Nitrates and Heavy Metals and for the Removal of Organic Contaminants

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University (MU)

Lead Applicant

Bernadette Alcock-Earley

Project Abstract

The three projects are concerned with the formation of new materials that can be used in environmental sensing applications and/or have the potential to remove the pollutant, i.e. environmental remediation. These novel materials consist of modified conducting polymer films. Conducting polymers have attracted much interest because of their electronic, electrochemical and optical properties. These polymers will be used in all three projects and will serve as a platform technology. The polymers will be modified with either metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes or macrocyclic cages so that the materials are capable of sensing and/or remediation of nitrates, heavy metals and organic contaminants. These modifications are carefully selected to ensure that the final materials will have the required sensing or remediation capacity. Initially, polypyrrole films will be used, as polypyrrole is one of the most important conducting polymers because of its facile preparation and good stability. Other conducting polymers such as polyaniline and PEDOT will also be employed at a later stage to investigate the role that the polymer matrix has on each system and to determine the best performing polymer matrix. -

Grant Approved

�770,937.00

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Protecting our Water Resources

Start Date

01/04/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/04/2013