Synthetic Melanin Filtration Agents

Location

King Building 343

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-28-2017 4:30 PM

End Date

4-28-2017 5:50 PM

Abstract

Melanins, the biological pigments have a range of interesting properties that make them potentially beneficial as water purification agents. Natural and synthetic melanins are known to bind a variety of organic compounds and metal ions, including lead. As seen in current events like Flint, Michigan and the escalation of lead in water reports in Chicago public schools, lead is continuing health concern in drinking water within our communities. Working in collaboration with a local company, Nanotech Innovations, we are exploring synthetic melanin in combination with a variety of other materials, including carbon nanotubes, polymers, and activated carbon, as filtration agents for heavy metals and organic dyes. We are currently focusing on a composite materials for lead filtration. We are able to test the effects of synthetic melanin in different lead concentrations through oxidation of L-Dopa in the presence of supporting materials, such as carbon nanotubes on activated carbon (CNT/AC), supplied by Nanotech Innovations. The resulting products are used to filter lead solutions that were equilibrated for 18 hours and analyzed through atomic absorption spectroscopy, and compared to the supporting materials without synthetic melanin. Promising initial results led our lab into finding options in optimizing lead binding through changes in the oxidizing step of L-Dopa. We found that oxidizing L-Dopa with NH4 and 10% Na2CO3 filtered >50% of lead at 150 mM Pb solution. We are continuing these studies with different composite materials like polymers and alumina. This presentation will describe our efforts to optimize lead filtration.

Keywords:

melanin, lead filtration, carbon nanotubes

Notes

Session III, Panel 20 - Water | Health
Moderator: Marcelo Vinces, Director, Center for Learning, Education, and Research (CLEAR) in the Sciences; Associate Director, Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence (CTIE)

Major

Anthropology

Advisor(s)

Crystal Biruk, Anthropology

Project Mentor(s)

Jason Belitsky, Chemistry & Biochemistry

April 2017

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Apr 28th, 4:30 PM Apr 28th, 5:50 PM

Synthetic Melanin Filtration Agents

King Building 343

Melanins, the biological pigments have a range of interesting properties that make them potentially beneficial as water purification agents. Natural and synthetic melanins are known to bind a variety of organic compounds and metal ions, including lead. As seen in current events like Flint, Michigan and the escalation of lead in water reports in Chicago public schools, lead is continuing health concern in drinking water within our communities. Working in collaboration with a local company, Nanotech Innovations, we are exploring synthetic melanin in combination with a variety of other materials, including carbon nanotubes, polymers, and activated carbon, as filtration agents for heavy metals and organic dyes. We are currently focusing on a composite materials for lead filtration. We are able to test the effects of synthetic melanin in different lead concentrations through oxidation of L-Dopa in the presence of supporting materials, such as carbon nanotubes on activated carbon (CNT/AC), supplied by Nanotech Innovations. The resulting products are used to filter lead solutions that were equilibrated for 18 hours and analyzed through atomic absorption spectroscopy, and compared to the supporting materials without synthetic melanin. Promising initial results led our lab into finding options in optimizing lead binding through changes in the oxidizing step of L-Dopa. We found that oxidizing L-Dopa with NH4 and 10% Na2CO3 filtered >50% of lead at 150 mM Pb solution. We are continuing these studies with different composite materials like polymers and alumina. This presentation will describe our efforts to optimize lead filtration.