Postcard from India: University of Waterloo student’s nanocomposite both detects and scavenges mercury in contaminated water

By Nishil Mohammed

Under the guidance of Professor Michael K.C. Tam in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, I have been developing novel nanocomposites based on sustainable nanomaterials that can remove wastewater contaminants. Prof. Tam’s laboratory specializes in the design and development of novel functional materials based on eco-friendly nanomaterials and polymers.

Through the university’s Office of Research, I learned about the Globalink Research Award and how it could support international research collaboration activities. From there, Prof. Tam and I pursued a collaboration with Professor Thalappil Pradeep’ research laboratory at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Professor Pradeep and his colleagues are experts in developing nanocomposites and noble metal nanoclusters that display high selectivity and sensitivity to contaminants.

Under the supervision of both professors, I worked with a group of students from Professor Pradeep’s research group to develop a smart nanocomposite that can simultaneously detect and scavenge the heavy metal ions in water. Its nanocomponents help in the efficient adsorption (the adhesion of molecules to a surface) and binding of heavy-metal ions, such as mercury, in contaminated water.

The nanocomposite fluoresces with a bright red emission under UV light; however, upon the adsorption of mercury ions from water, this fluorescence quenches. This means that the fluorescence disappears and provides a helpful visual indication of the nanocomposite’s efficacy for both in-situ monitoring and remediation of contaminated water. 

The project’s success has led to a joint Indian Patent Application between Professor Pradeep’s and Professor Tam’s respective labs, as well as a publication in the American Chemical Society’s Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering journal. In addition to these achievements, my Globalink Research Award experience contributed in a great way to the development of my research and interpersonal skills.

Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their support of the Globalink Research Award internship in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink Research Award program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.

In addition, Mitacs is pleased to work with international partners to support this award, including Campus France and Inria, India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Mission Universitaire de Tunisie en Amerique du Nord.

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: BD@mitacs.ca

Mitacs Team

Mitacs’s website content is created by people throughout our organization, united in their passion for innovation and eager to share their perspectives with others in the innovation ecosystem. 

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