Designing a novel carbon material from waste plastic for remediating emerging contaminants

About this project

Increasing demands for inexpensive yet durable products with enhanced functionality/convenience has culminated in the global production rate of ~400 million tons of plastic annually (Geyer et al., 2017). According to the 2018–19 Australian Plastics Recycling Survey (O'Farrell & Allan, 2002), annual plastic use in Australia is ~3.5 million tonnes. It is estimated that only ~13% of this plastic is currently recycled in Australia, while the remainder are disposed of in landfills (National Waste Report, 2020). Alarmingly, approximately 130,000 tonnes of plastic currently enter the oceans annually in Australia (Ellen McCarthur Foundation, 2017). As global plastic production is predicted to double by 2040 (World Economic Forum 2016), novel methods for waste plastic upcycling to make value added materials/products is urgently needed.

By enacting the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020, Australia aims to be a global leader in plastic recycling and reprocessing. However, $419 million is currently lost by not recovering polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products (CSIRO, 2021). Recently, Australian government has banned exporting unsorted mixed plastics and unprocessed single polymer or resin plastics (Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020), creating opportunities for domestic upcycling of plastic wastes to value-added products.

Ongoing engagements with Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd at Future Industries Institute (FII) identified that pond liners (composed of PET) and end-caps (composed of HDPE) are two of the most prolific single-use plastic wastes produced in the company’s remote operational sites. This project aims to convert these stockpiled plastics, into novel, porous, carbon-based functional materials. By optimising operational parameters of synthesis, this carbon material will be able to adsorb and remove of priority environmental pollutants, known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from environmental matrices.

In addition to plastic recycling being identified as a national priority, soil and water contamination with PFAS was reported at numerous Australian locations, including Defense sites (Sleep & Juhasz, 2021). Toxicological Profile for PFAS (ATSDR, 2021) identified that human exposure is associated with adverse health impacts on metabolism, endocrine, hepatic, renal, immune, and neurological function. Also, PFAS may exert toxicological impact on ecological receptors and bioaccumulate/biomagnify. This project will provide solutions not only for an economically profitable and environmentally sustainable upcycling of plastic waste but also develop a new PFAS remediation technology for the environment, creating competitive advantages for Australian industries while improving environmental and human health.

This project complements and strengthens FII’s existing research capabilities of ‘Advanced materials’ and ‘Risk assessment and remediation of contaminants’ by giving practical solutions of plastic upcycling and PFAS clean up to waste management and remediation industries. Outcomes of this project can potentially prevent soil and water quality deterioration from plastic and PFAS pollution, save millions of dollars for Australian industries, and improve environmental and human health. It also addresses Australia’s national science priority area of ‘Soil and water’ by minimising damage of plastic pollution to, and developing solutions for the remediation of fresh and potable water, and marine systems. Outcomes of this project aligns with the United Nation’s ‘Good Health and Well-Being’, ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’, ‘Life below Water’ and ‘Life on Land’ Sustainable Development Goals. PFAS are priority contaminants identified by SA EPA, National Environmental Protection Measure and EPAs globally – research addressed by this PhD project will deliver PFAS remediation outcomes which are currently underdeveloped and/or cost prohibitive.

What you’ll do 

This project will develop and optimise methods to convert waste plastics, including pond liner and end caps stockpiled at Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd, as well as soft and other plastic wastes, into functional, porous, carbon materials via microwave-assisted pyrolysis using clay- and zeolite-based catalysts. The influence of microwave energy, pressure, reaction time, waste plastic and catalyst types, plastic-catalyst ratio and reaction medium on carbon-based materials’ characteristics (e.g., fixed carbon, graphite and graphene contents, surface area, pore size distribution) and their yield will be investigated using state of the art techniques. Batch and dynamic flow experiments will be used to assess PFAS adsorption, desorption, and degradation using the newly developed porous carbon materials. In addition, influence of environmental factors (e.g., pH, ionic strength, dissolved organic matter concentration, temperature) on PFAS fate will be examined prior to performance testing in field contaminated water/soil.

This project is expected to generate 3-4 impactful scientific publications in Q1 journals, and potentially patentable intellectual property. Additionally, findings from this project will be communicated to Cleanaway Waste management Ltd, seeking potential scaling up options at their operation sites. As an industry partner to this project, Cleanaway will contribute to the development of this project via providing the waste plastic materials, feedback and regulatory advice. Throughout this project, monthly meetings with Cleanaway will be held to inform progress and communicate results.

Plastic upcycling and PFAS remediation techniques are in high demand in environmental waste management industries. Findings will also be communicated to environmental consultancies (e.g., Ziltek), local councils (e.g., City of Salisbury, City of Port Adelaide) and regulatory bodies (e.g., EPA South Australia), increasing opportunities for adoption by end-users.

Where you’ll be based 

Future Industries Institute (FII)

Dr Farzana Kastury (UCL Santos Research Fellow, FII) will act as the Principal Supervisor to oversee the day-to-day operation and project progress. She has acted as the Principal Supervisor for two Honours and four Master’s students and currently co-supervising three HDR students.

Dr Binoy Sarkar (Research Fellow, FII) will act as co-supervisor and will provide methodologies for the synthesis and characterisation of carbon materials. Dr. Sarkar has supervised six HDR students to completion.

Professor Albert Juhasz (Research Professor, FII) will act as a co-supervisor and will provide PFAS quantification methodologies. Prof. Juhasz is an expert in contaminant fate/exposure assessment with strong links with Environmental/Regulatory sectors, translating research outcomes into guidance and policy. He currently runs a significant project on PFAS exposure assessment funded by the NHMRC and supervising 4 PhD candidates as principal supervisor. His previous 2 PhD students won the Ian Wark Medal for Most Outstanding PhD Thesis in FII (2018 and 2019).

Dr Jing Zhang (UCL Santos Research Fellow, FII) will act as a co-supervisor and will contribute methodologies during carbon material synthesis and characterisation. As a polymer scientist and nanotechnologist, Dr. Zhang is recognised for her research into polymeric materials, nanomaterials, pharmaceutical aerosols, and environmental aerosols.

Colleen Watson (Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd) will act as Co-Supervisor as a Waste Industry and Resource Recovery expert. She will advise on waste matters, relevant legislation, as well as liaising with businesses and recyclers to obtain waste plastic to be used in the project. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses.  A fee offset for the standard term of the program is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Additionally, any Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant who holds an offer of admission without a living allowance will be eligible for the Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship. This scholarship is to the value of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). Any Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship recipient will also receive a fee waiver. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Knowledge or research experience in PFAS organic micropollutant quantification using mass spectrometry and/or synthesis and characterisation of particulate materials/nanoparticles 
• Knowledge of plastic recycling methods (e.g., pyrolysis)
• Experience of the essentials of quantitative research methods

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time, and to be based at our Mawson Lakes Campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Monday 3 March 2025.