Example engineering dissertation topic 9:

Developing effective mechanisms for removing pollutants from water: The use of polymer-based and polymeric hybrid adsorbents

Within the field of chemical engineering the need to provide effective solutions to the problems of river pollutants has become increasingly important. Building upon the tried and tested use of activated carbons as a mechanism by which to remove pollutants, polymeric and polymer-based hybrid adsorbents have, since the turn of the millennium, become increasingly favoured within the industry. This dissertation analyses the physiochemical properties of a range of polymeric-based adsorbents through a thorough review of existing academic literature upon the subject as well as laboratory work that charts their effectiveness on a range of polluted waters.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Trakulsujaritchok, T., Noiphom, N., Tangtreamjitmun, N.and Saeeng, R. (2011) ‘Adsorptive features of poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate): Effect of porogen formulation on heavy metal ion adsorption’, Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 46(16), pp. 5350-5362.
• Al-Muhtaseb, A.H., Ibrahim, K.A., Albadarin, A.B., Ali-khashman, O., Walker, G.M. and Ahmad, M.N.M. (2011) ‘Remediation of phenol-contaminated water by adsorption using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)’, Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 168(2), pp. 691-699.