Annual Report

the 1950s, as well as solubilised metal ions,
the removal of which is the target of this project.Recent
years have seen the development of
nanotechnologies that have the potential to be
used for this application, as nanoparticles offer
advantages as nanosensors in rapid and highthroughput
detection methods. Specifically,
magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs), given
their capability of showing superparamagnetic
behaviour if in a particular size range, could
be a potential tool in separation technologies.
Through the application of external magnetic
fields, the nanoparticles could be used as adsorbents
in water treatment to provide a convenient
approach for separating and removing
the water contaminants in the LP&S.
The aim of the project is to provide a device
capable of selectively target radionuclides and
heavy metals in solution and sequester them via
specific or non-specific ligand agents, thereby
tuning their magnetic properties for sensitive
detection. In order for this system to be highly
effective, the nanoparticles need to be stable
in wastewater systems and, ideally, to regenerate
and hence to be reusable for more than
one cycle. As last goal, in collaboration with
Loughborough University (Laura Mayne, a PhD
student also in EPSRC DISTINCTIVE programme)
the MNPs will be silica coated and further used
in nanopore technology for contaminant separation
purposes. The use of a magnetic core
structure will lead to better direction and sensing
capability.
Centre for Nuclear Engineering Annual Report 2014-2016 54