Papers by Jennifer Dodson
Reproducible highly mesoporous monolithic materials (0.5-0.7 cm 3 g À1 , 9-15 nm) are prepared fr... more Reproducible highly mesoporous monolithic materials (0.5-0.7 cm 3 g À1 , 9-15 nm) are prepared from a variety of fresh shaped abundant macroalgae using a simple green approach without the necessity for supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) drying. This opens up the possibility for low cost and sustainable structured materials for chromatography, catalyst supports and drug delivery systems.
Some modern so-called low carbon technologies are actually broadening concerns over future elemen... more Some modern so-called low carbon technologies are actually broadening concerns over future elemental sustainability for a wide range of elements. In order to address the rapid dispersion of metals, such as indium and silver, we need to be more innovative in recovery technologies that essentially turn a waste into a resource. A multi-disciplinary blend of chemistry, extractive metallurgy, engineering and biotechnology is required to realise this ambition.
The waste ashes from a commercial biomass combustion facility are successfully converted into mes... more The waste ashes from a commercial biomass combustion facility are successfully converted into mesoporous structured silica utilising a biorefinery approach, with potential high value applications in catalysis, adsorption and separation processes. Potassium silicate solutions are formed via a simple hydrothermal extraction of miscanthus bottom ashes, rich in amorphous silica, with a reproducible extraction of 60-70%. The extension and validation of a rapid and facile infrared method for the quantification of the silicate solutions is demonstrated with important industrial applications for continuous online screening and tuning of the silicate solution ratio and concentration. The alkali solutions from the waste ashes are used for the formation of a structured high surface area mesoporous silica, MCM-41 (1043 m 2 g −1 , 1.12 cm 3 g −1 ). The resulting mesoporous silica was analysed by XRD, N 2 adsorption porosimetry and TEM. † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See
Considerable mineralogical changes occur during the combustion of biomass such as wheat straw, wh... more Considerable mineralogical changes occur during the combustion of biomass such as wheat straw, which lead to variation in the physical, chemical and textural properties of the ashes formed. Mineralogical and chemical changes occur above combustion temperatures of 500 uC causing reductions in the solubility of potassium, chloride, silica and sulfate. This can be directly correlated to the evaporation of KCl, dissociation of K 2 SO 4 , softening of silica and formation of alkali silicates. Calcium extraction increased above combustion temperatures of 700 uC due to the decomposition of CaCO 3 . We have discovered, for the first time, that the inherent alkali in unleached wheat straw is sufficient to solubilise up to 30% of the silica in the ash at room temperature. This could be used to produce potassium silicate solution as a new valuable by-product of wheat straw combustion. It was also found that incomplete combustion at high temperatures, following leaching of ashes can lead to the formation of porous activated carbons and inorganic materials, demonstrating yet another valuable use for this waste material.
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Papers by Jennifer Dodson