The primary objective of the research is to develop a biochar-based mixed polymer matrix membrane. The biochar will be obtained from gasification experiments on an industrial agro-waste. The membrane will then be analysed to determine the physio-chemical properties such as the molecular weight cut-off, porosity, permeability, average pore size, pore size distribution, contact angle, zeta potential, and the mechanical strength. Then, its utility to adsorb antibiotics present in wastewater will be evaluated by techniques such as vacuum filtration and UV-Spectroscopy. Lastly, the operational parameters such as temperature, time, and pH, will be optimized to get the maximum adsorption capacity.

Funding: Post-doc grant 2022-2023  
PI: Karan Gupta, Priyanka Katiyar