Tannahill is pursuing a yearlong honors project in Beth Stemmler’s analytical chemistry lab in Druckenmiller Hall. He's one of six students working on independent research under Stemmler’s mentorship.
Using lab processes like high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, Tannahill is investigating the most effective ways to degrade phthalates, plasticizers used in many industries and consumer products to make plastics soft, flexible, and durable. The EPA says they also have the potential to cause human health abnormalities, including hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption.
Tannahill is focusing on two catalysts—titanium dioxide and bismuth oxychloride—looking at how they not only break down the pollutant but also get rid of byproducts from the process. “We’ve found that oxychloride works better than titanium dioxide at degrading phthalates to just carbon dioxide and water, completely removing them from solution,” he said.
To spread the word about his findings, Tannahill is going to two conferences this academic year—the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in November and the American Chemical Society in March.
“Once we come up with really good ideas, they can be applied to wastewater treatment by engineers and environmental engineers who can take our papers and apply them to reality,” he said.
