The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Kalani's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Kalani
I am a Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth, with a PhD in Physics from the University of Exeter and a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka. My research focuses on developing safe and sustainable nano-enabled platforms, with a particular emphasis on iron oxide nanomaterials for environmental remediation and health applications.
During my PhD, I specialised in the synthesis and engineering of metal nanoparticles (AuNRs, Pt@AuNRs) and applied them in single-molecule metal catalysis and sensing using whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical microcavities. This work provided new insights into molecular interactions, catalytic mechanisms, and surface chemistry at the nanoscale, supported by both experimental and theoretical approaches.
Currently, I am designing iron oxide-based nanoplatforms for oil recovery and toxic metal removal, as well as synthesising metal-tagged nanoplastics to investigate their transformations and biological impacts. My interdisciplinary approach combines nanomaterials synthesis, catalysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, and chromatography to deliver innovative solutions for environmental and health challenges.
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Contact Kalani
kulathungamudaligekalani.perera@plymouth.ac.uk
