Research

Research Goals

Overcoming challenges to using photocatalysts for water treatment.

The use of photocatalysts or other photoactive materials for water treatment is an exciting possibility. However, there are several key challenges preventing the practical use of these light-activated technologies. Diffusion limitations are a particular issue which may be overcome by combining selective adsorbent materials with photoactive materials to enhance the contact time between highly reactive radicals and the target contaminants.

Applying UVC LEDs for innovative advanced oxidation processes.

The recent development of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that can emit light in the germicidal range has opened many opportunities to innovate wavelength-specific processes for enhanced water treatment. These "advanced oxidation processes" offer potential to revolutionize the treatment and reuse of wastewater. Understanding the interactions between natural organic matter and halide radicals will help guide the development of safe and effective advanced oxidation techniques for water and wastewater treatment.

Developing Point of Use Disinfection Devices for Water and Wastewater Treatment in Resource Scarce Settings.

That water is essential for life is a universal truth that motivates much of the research in our group. For many people lacking water infrastructure, the need is a daily burden which often brings disease with it. We are excited to work towards technological solutions that can accelerate the efforts to improve access to sustainable sources of clean drinking water and improved sanitation of wastewater for all people. 

Publications

For a current list of publications, please see my ORCID profile here.

  1. Willis, D. E., Sheets, E. C., Worbington, M. R., Kamat, M., Glass S. K., Caso, M. J., Ofoegbuna, T., Diaz, L. M., Osei-Appau, C., Snow, S. D., McPeak, K. M. “Efficient Chemical-Free Degradation of Waterborne Micropollutants with an Immobilized Dual-Porous TiO2 Photocatalyst.” ES&T Engineering, 2023. DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.3c00191.

  2. Maghsoodi, M., Jacquin, C., Teychené, B., Lesage, G., Snow, S. D. “Delineating the Effects of Molecular and Colloidal Interactions of Dissolved Organic Matter on Titania Photocatalysis.” Langmuir, 2023, 39 (10), 3752-3761. DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03487..

  3. Kamat M., Moor, K., Langlois, G., Chen, M., Parker, M. K., McNeill, K., Snow, S. D. "The overlooked photochemistry of iodine in aqueous suspensions of fullerene derivatives." ACS Nano 16 (5), 8309-8317, 2022. DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02281.

  4. Maghsoodi, M.; Lowry, L. G.; Smith, I, M.; Snow, S. D., Evaluation of parameters governing dark and photorepair in UVC-irradiated Escherichia coli. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2022, 8, 407-418.

  5. Maghsoodi, M.; Jacquin, C.; Teychené, B.; Heran, M.; Tarabara, V. V.; Lesage, G.; Snow, S. D., Emerging investigator series: photocatalysis for MBR effluent post-treatment: assessing the effects of effluent organic matter characteristics. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 2019, 5, (3), 482-494.

  6.  Snow, S. D.; LaRoy, C. E. L.; Tarabara, V. V., Photocatalysis in membrane bioreactor effluent: Assessment of inhibition by dissolved organics. Journal of Environmental Engineering 2019, 145, (3).

  7.  Kim, Y.; Snow, S. D.; Reichel-Deland, V.; Maghsoodi, M.; Langlois, G. M.; Tarabara, V. V.; Rose, J. B., Current status and recommendations toward a virus standard for ballast water. Management of Biological Invasions 2019, 10, (2), 276-284.

  8.  Guo, B.; Snow, S. D.; Starr, B. J.; Xagoraraki, I.; Tarabara, V. V., Photocatalytic inactivation of human adenovirus 40: Effect of dissolved organic matter and prefiltration. Separation and Purification Technology 2018, 193, 193-201.

  9.  Moor, K.; Snow, S.; Kim, J., Light Sensitized Disinfection with Fullerene. In Applying Nanotechnology for Environmental Sustainability, IGI Global: 2017; pp 137-163.

  10.  Snow, S. D.; Kim, K. C.; Moor, K. J.; Jang, S. S.; Kim, J.-H., Functionalized fullerenes in water: A closer look. Environmental Science & Technology 2015, 49, (4), 2147-2155.

  11.  Moor, K. J.; Snow, S. D.; Kim, J.-H., Differential photoactivity of aqueous C60 and C70 fullerene aggregates. Environmental Science & Technology 2015, 49, (10), 5990-5998.

  12.  Choi, J. I.; Snow, S. D.; Kim, J. H.; Jang, S. S., Interaction of C60 with water: first-principles modeling and environmental implications. Environmental Science & Technology 2015, 49, (3), 1529-36.

  13.  Snow, S. D.; Park, K.; Kim, J.-H., Cationic fullerene aggregates with unprecedented virus photoinactivation efficiencies in water. Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2014, 1, (6), 290-294.

  14.  Moor, K.; Kim, J. H.; Snow, S.; Kim, J. H., [C70] Fullerene-sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion. Chemical Communications 2013, 49, (92), 10829-31.

  15.  Snow, S. D.; Lee, J.; Kim, J. H., Photochemical and photophysical properties of sequentially functionalized fullerenes in the aqueous phase. Environmental Science & Technology 2012, 46, (24), 13227-34.

  16.  Diaz, J. M.; Ingall, E. D.; Snow, S. D.; Benitez-Nelson, C. R.; Taillefert, M.; Brandes, J. A., Potential role of inorganic polyphosphate in the cycling of phosphorus within the hypoxic water column of Effingham Inlet, British Columbia. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 2012, 26.

  17.  Cho, M.; Snow, S. D.; Hughes, J. B.; Kim, J. H., Escherichia coli inactivation by UVC-irradiated C60: Kinetics and mechanisms. Environmental Science & Technology 2011, 45, (22), 9627-33.