Award details

Novel bionanocatalyst for degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

ReferenceE19998
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Lynne Macaskie
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Professor Stuart Harrad
Institution University of Birmingham
DepartmentSch of Biosciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 68,630
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/11/2003
End date 31/01/2005
Duration15 months

Abstract

A previous feasibility study showed a novel bionanocatalyst catalysing unexpected degradation of recalcitrant PCBs. Along with reductive dehalogenation (RD) an unexpected fragmentation of the PCB molecule occurred, attributable to unique properties of Pd nanoclusters, biosynthesised by initial biosorption of Pd(II) followed by reduction to Pd(0) under H2 via the hydrogenase activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria. The supported, templated, bionanoclusters (approximately 5 nm) form a completely new class of catalyst. The objectives of this proposal are to investigate the mechanism of PCB breakdown with respect to the organic fragments produced, the order of events (RD or fragmentation first), and application to PCB remediation from used transformer oils

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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