PhD Studentship: Deciphering Metal Organic Framework - Environmental Interaction and Their Implication on Environmental Health

This CENTA3 project focuses on investigating the environmental interactions and environmental health implications of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), particularly nanoscale MOFs (nMOFs). These versatile materials are increasingly used in gas storage, water treatment, drug delivery, and sensing technologies. However, little is known about how MOFs transform in different environmental conditions during their useful life, and the potential risks these changes pose, particularly when released into air, water, or biological systems.

This project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by systematically studying how MOFs interact with various environmental factors, including atmospheric pollutants, water, and soil. The research will explore the structural and chemical transformations that MOFs undergo during these interactions, providing critical insights into their life cycle and environmental fate. The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, nMOFs will be synthesized, characterized, and exposed to a range of environmental conditions to observe their transformations. Using advanced tools such as synchrotron-based spectroscopy, the team will track real-time changes in the MOF structures, aiming to understand how environmental factors affect MOF properties and potential risks.

In the second phase, the focus will shift to assessing the toxicological impacts of transformed MOFs on ecosystems using Daphnia magna, a model organism for aquatic toxicity studies. By studying survival, reproduction, and behavioral changes in daphnids, the project will provide an ecologically relevant perspective on how MOFs could affect aquatic ecosystems.

Additionally, the project will incorporate data science techniques to develop machine learning models based on the generated experimental data. These models will predict the toxicity of MOFs under various environmental conditions, enabling a more efficient and comprehensive risk assessment. The modelling will contribute to the development of predictive tools that can inform policymakers and regulators about the potential risks associated with MOFs, helping to shape safer material design and usage.

By generating novel data on MOF transformations and their ecological impacts, this project aims to influence global policy, especially in developing countries. The long-term goal is to ensure safer and more sustainable industrial applications of MOFs while promoting global safety standards and advancing scientific understanding of their environmental implications.

For further information on this project and details of how to apply to it please click on the above 'Apply' button.

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DTP, with funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers an annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level) and Research Training Support Grant.

Advert information