The 11th Global Conference on Polymer and Composite Materials (PCM 2024)

Abstract: The environmental concerns from the disposal of bio-accumulative, non-biodegradable and toxic pollutants such as heavy metal ions from various sources, refineries, pulp and textile industries, lead batteries and mining industries has triggered an alarming research interest to alleviate the negative impact of these pollutants. Various wastewater treatment methods like membrane filtration, biological, coagulation-floatation, photocatalysis and adsorption are currently used to treat wastewater. A vast number of adsorbent materials such as activated carbon, ion exchange resins, zeolites, alumina and polymeric and metal based adsorbent materials have been employed in wastewater treatment for the removal of heavy metal ions, but the quest for developing more efficient and cost-effective adsorbents continues to expand. The past two decades have seen research efforts being directed at developing efficient and cost-effective adsorbents from readily available materials. The use of nano-based adsorbents having large surface -to-volume ratio presents increased particle-matrix interactions and consequently enhanced pollutant removal. Traditionally carbon-based adsorbents such as activated carbon have been used in wastewater treatment. However, adsorption columns can be expensive and batch contactors require an additional separation step. Hence, the introduction of magnetic nano adsorbents that have desirable properties such as, small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio has drawn considerable interest among researchers. The current talk will focus on the current and future scenario of the remediation of waste water using various nanocomposite materials.

Biography: Ajay Kumar Mishra (MSc, MPhil, PhD, CSci, FRSC) is currently working as Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, School of Applied Sciences, KIIT to be Deemed University, Bhubaneswar, India. Professor Mishra is also affiliated as Director at the Academy of Nanotechnology and Waste Water Innovations, South Africa, Visiting Professor(s) at Robert Gordon University, UK, Bashkir State University, Russia, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, Hebei University of Science and Technology, China and Adjunct Professor at Jiangsu University, China. Prof Mishra’s distinct educational and research background and hands-on experience have contributed to his emergence as a highly knowledgeable nano-scientists in the field. Prof Mishra completed his MPhil & PhD in Chemistry from the University of Delhi, India and obtained BSc & MSc in Chemistry from Purvanchal University (U.P. College), India. Prior to this, he had worked as Professor at University of South Africa, besides working to be Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Prof Mishra also worked as postdoctoral fellow at University of the Free State and University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He served as Director of the Centre of Nanomaterials at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa and also Chair of the IEEE Nanotechnology Council, South Africa Chapter. Prof Mishra has published more than 150 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, 30+ books and contributed over 65 book chapters. He has also delivered more than 110 plenary/keynote/invited/guest lectures and graduated 13 PhD’s, 20 Master’s students and hosted 10 postdoctoral fellows. Prof Mishra have been named on a list of the top 2% of the most-cited scientists in various disciplines globally. Prof Mishra is also reviewers of several key peer-reviewed international journals besides active role as an external examiner. Prof Mishra has also secured number of international grants. Prof Mishra have attained considerable national and international recognition, as well as awards including “Fellow member” and “Chartered Scientist” by Royal Society of Chemistry, UK and Chancellor’s Prize, UNISA, South Africa. Prof. Mishra also served as Associate Editor as well as member of the editorial board of many peer-reviewed international journals and books. He is serving as member advisory board of a number of international scientific societies, conferences and workshops.