This $335,000 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry funds a collaborative research project between Professor Alexander Laskin at Purdue University and Professor Jonas Baltrusaitis at Lehigh University. The research investigates the photocatalytic chemistry of low solubility phosphate colloids, specifically the mineral struvite, and their impact on the transformation and remediation of organic pollutants and dissolved organic matter in aquatic environments. The project aims to advance fundamental environmental chemistry knowledge concerning struvite-organic mixtures, which will inform decisions regarding the engineering, process design, and management controls for the practical utilization of environmentally friendly struvite fertilizers. The research involves laboratory synthesis and analysis of struvite microcrystals with varying iron content to understand their chemical composition, physical properties, and catalytic behavior. The project leverages an interdisciplinary approach to provide students with hands-on experience in advanced synthesis techniques and state-of-the-art analytical methodologies.
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