Prof. Cheng-Di Dong
International Honorary Member of American Academy of Environmental Engineering and Science;National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology
Speech Title: Development of Peracetic Acid-based Advanced Oxidation Process for Sustainable Water Remediation
Abstract: Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments pose increasing risks to ecosystems, water quality, and human health, requiring sustainable and efficient remediation technologies. This study focuses on the development of peracetic acid-based advanced oxidation processes (PAA-AOPs) using novel catalysts derived from waste biomass and transition-metal materials. Biochar prepared from chestnut shell and kumquat peel was investigated for acetaminophen degradation, with pyrolysis temperature and surface modification shown to strongly influence adsorption, electron transfer, and PAA activation. ZIF-67 supported on kumquat peel-derived biochar enhanced reactive oxygen species generation and achieved high acetaminophen removal across a wide pH range with good reusability. Additionally, NiCo2O4 catalysts with different morphologies were developed for cephalexin degradation, where 3D NiCo2O4 exhibited superior crystallinity, oxygen vacancies, electron transfer ability, and catalytic performance. Overall, these PAA-based systems demonstrate strong potential for sustainable wastewater treatment and pharmaceutical pollutant removal.
Biography: Prof. Cheng-Di Dong is a Chair Professor in the Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST), Taiwan. Dr. Dong obtained his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Delaware, USA in 1993 and M.S. in Environmental Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA in 1990. Dr. Dong is Dean of the College of Hydrosphere of NKUST. Dr. Dong’s research focuses on waste-to-resources, biotechnology, nanotechnology, novel catalytic materials and biochar for environmental applications. Dr. Dong has published more than 500 research and review articles in leading international journals, 7 book chapters, and edited 6 special issues of scientific journals. His h-index is approximately 66, with more than 17,000 citations according to Google Scholar. He has won several scientific awards and grants from renowned academic bodies. Dr. Dong was in the “World’s Top 2% Scientist-Stanford University Releases List (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)” for Environmental Sciences. He is a Fellow of International Bioprocessing Association. Dr. Dong currently serves as Editor of Sustainable Environment Research, and he is Editorial Board Member of Bioresource Technology. He has also served as Guest Editor of Special Issues in Bioresource Technology, Environmental Pollution, Bioresource Technology Report, Catalysts, and Applied Sciences.