Rajith Perera

@inproceedings{Perera2023d,

title = {Advancements in multifunctional core-shell adsorbent comprising graphene oxide/ sand for adsorptive removal of water contaminants},

author = {WPRT Perera and PLRA Perera and JA Liyanage and AR Kumarasinghe},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377600187_Advancements_in_multifunctional_core-shell_adsorbent_comprising_graphene_oxide_sand_for_adsorptive_removal_of_water_contaminants



https://conf.kln.ac.lk/iprc/media/attachments/2024/01/23/abstract-volume-2023.pdf},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-11-24},

urldate = {2023-11-24},

volume = {23},

number = {25},

issue = {2023},

pages = {34},

publisher = {International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC)},

address = {Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},

organization = {University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},

abstract = {Our study introduces a novel approach to enhance the efficiency of water treatment by developing a porous material (M-GO/S) that combines graphite oxide (GO) with river sand overcoming the limitations of conventional granular media filtration. Synthesized M-GO/S was finally characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) after primary characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, Ramen, and Scanning Electron Microscopic images (SEM). The adsorptive removal efficiency of M-GO/S on selected toxic metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni), calcium, and methylene blue dye was investigated under the optimum conditions. The findings reveal the presence of a non-uniform graphene oxide coating on the surface of the sand. The incorporation of oxygenated functional moieties within the structure observed according to the comprehensive analysis of the Carbon 1s (C 1s) spectra of the M-GO/S sample in XPS spectrums and revealed the existence of four distinct carbon species exhibiting binding energies at 284.8 eV, 287.05 eV, and 288.85 eV. These carbon species were identified as C-C/C-H, CO , and COO (epoxy) functional groups, respectively. The adsorption capacities of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni were recorded as; 52.2 mg/g, 21.9 mg/g, 38.1 mg/g, and 21.9 mg/g respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the sand/GO nanocomposite demonstrated remarkable efficacy in removing 75% of calcium ions (elevated removal percentage than commercial coal powdered activated carbon) from simulated hard water. Apart from that, under the optimum conditions, M/GO-S was able to mitigate 95% of methylene blue which was identified as a toxic dye from the water. Therefore, based on its versatile characteristics as a multifunctional porous material, the synthesized graphene oxide-sand nanocomposite (M-GO/S) demonstrates significant potential as a viable solution for the treatment of contaminated water.},

keywords = {Adsorption, CKDu, Contamination, Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Grains, Graphene oxide, Heavy metals, Methylene blue, Water hardness},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@inproceedings{Perera2023e,

title = {Exploring the toxic metal contamination and unveiling the risks in staple grains grown in a CKDu hotspot in Sri Lanka},

author = {MASN Perera and WPRT Perera and PLRA Perera and CC Kadigamuwa and JA Liyanage and WAPJ Premaratne},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377600084_Exploring_the_toxic_metal_contamination_and_unveiling_the_risks_in_staple_grains_grown_in_a_CKDu_hotspot_in_Sri_Lanka},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-11-24},

volume = {23},

number = {24},

issue = {2023},

pages = {33},

publisher = {International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC)},

address = {Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},

organization = {University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},

abstract = {Toxic metals in dietary grains could pose health risks from direct ingestion. Thisinvestigation aims to analyze the concentrations of toxic metals in selected dietary grainsand conduct a comparative risk assessment in a region endemic to Chronic KidneyDisease of Unknown etiology(CKDu) in a non-endemic region. Six household fields in theCKDu endemic region in Nikawewa Grama Niladhari Division(GND) and three in thereference region; Wewagedara GND were selected for sampling. Inductively CoupledPlasma-Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS) was used to determine Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd),Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) in composite samples collectedfrom both GND areas (pulses; [(Vigna radiata; n=20), (Vigna unguiculata; n=20), (Vignaunguiculata subsp.; n=20)] cereal; [(Oryza sativa; n=30)]. Descriptive statistics revealedaverage As concentrations in samples as follows; Oryza sativa (38.60±13.84 g/kg,) Vignaunguiculata (3.25±1.96 g/kg), As was undetectable in samples of Vigna radiate, andVigna unguiculata subsp. in CKDu endemic area. The average As concentrations of Oryzasativa in the reference area was 5.56±1.87g/kg and As was not detected in other grainspecies. All values complied with FAO/WHO & Codex permissible limits (As-100-200g/kg). The estimated Daily Intake (EDI) value of As (0.257 g/kg/day) in Oryza sativain the endemic area did not exceed the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) (As-0.3 g/kg/day).The average concentrations of Cd and Pb were reported in the CKDu endemic area; Oryzasativa (Cd-1276.92±234.42 g/kg, Pb-419.31±98.78 g/kg), Vigna radiata(Cd-571.31±60.71 g/kg, Pb-344.15±93.75 g/kg), Vigna unguiculata (Cd-1354.33±265.34g/kg, Pb-408.56±22.20 g/kg), and Vigna unguiculata subsp.(Cd-1546.23±355.23g/kg, Pb-408.63±115.14 g/kg) and exceeded FAO/WHO permissible limit(Cd-400g/kg, Pb-300 g/kg). But those values were within the limits in the reference areas.However, Cu, Cr, and Zn remained within FAO/WHO safe limits in both regions. A healthrisk can be generated owing to long-term consumption of staple grains grown inNikawewa GND; CKDu endemic area. 



},

keywords = {CKDu, Contamination, Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Grains, Heavy metals},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}