KEYWORD |
Micropollutant uptake and release by micro- and nanoplastics
Thesis in external company
Reference persons ALBERTO TIRAFERRI
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL, IN LAB
Description THESIS WORK PERFORMED AT KARLSRUHE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GERMANY, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andrea I. Schäfer
This Masters project specifically aims to investigate the weak supramolecular interactions between micro-/nanoplastics and steroid hormone MPs and elucidate the uptake/release mechanisms of these MPs. The project will include;
i) (at TAU, Israel) characterise micro- and nanoplastics with varied origins, sizes, and surface properties following standard fabrication processes,
ii) (at KIT-IAMT) carry out MP adsorption experiments, determine MP concentrations and partitioning through mass balance, and
iii) participate in discussions within this German-Israeli collaboration.
Specific project tasks are;
- Review literature on the topics of micro- and nanoplastics contamination, MPs, adsorption (uptake), desorption (release), membrane filtration, etc.,
- Fabricate and characterize the size, surface morphology and surface chemical composition of the micro- and nanoplastics with available tools at TAU,
- Operate static adsorption experiments and determination of MP concentrations with already established analytical tools at IAMT to evaluate the partitioning,
- Analyse experimental data and contribute to write a joint research publication (in English).
Required skills Basic lab experience
Notes Only applicants with strong academic background and reasonable English skills will be considered.
Deadline 18/10/2025
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA