Advisor(s)
Vinoy Thomas
Committee Member(s)
Claudiu Lungu
Haibin Ning
Robin Foley
Ruigang Wang
School
School of Engineering
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Materials Engineering
Date of Award
9-9-2024
Abstract
Environmental pollution involves the introduction of harmful substances into the natural environment, leading to detrimental effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. This dissertation aims to advance comprehension of environmental pollution and explore efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective methods of remediation. Recently, there has been increasing concern about the environmental impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a subgroup of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Heavy Metals (HMs) pollution, both known for their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. These pollutants can significantly harm human health through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with contaminated soil, potentially resulting in conditions such as encephalopathy, kidney dysfunction, lung cancer, and impaired mental development. Moreover, environmental pollution contributes to a heightened risk of rising average atmospheric temperature. Despite ongoing research efforts, developing cost-effective, efficient, durable, and reliable methods for detecting PAHs in water and air, and addressing HM contamination, remains a challenge. This dissertation introduces a cost-effective, efficient, and durable polymer-based capacitive sensor for PAH detection, employing inkjet printing and Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP) surface treatment. The sensor, incorporating inkjet-printed capacitive electrodes on a polymeric substrate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) enables precise capacitance measurement, enhancing detection sensitivity. Additionally, a plasma surface-functionalized natural fiber bed is proposed as an adsorbent for removing HMs from aqueous media, offering an environmentally friendly solution to an underexplored research area. Personal cooling technologies have attracted increased attention due to their ability to provide efficient and cost-effective thermal comfort. A method for implementing scalable thermal regulation coatings on fabric materials is proposed, focusing on modifying existing fabrics rather than creating new ones. This process involves dual-stage modification utilizing electrospinning and plasma surface modification techniques. Further research is necessary to evaluate the industry-scale effectiveness of all proposed methods in sensing and mitigating various environmental toxins while ensuring personal thermal comfort outdoors.
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Rajan Pillai, Renjith, "Surface-Engineered Nano/Micro-Hybrid Polymer Systems For Environmental Health And Safety" (2024). All ETDs from UAB. 7617.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7617
