Prof. Kapil Moothi from the North-West University (NWU) has earned international recognition for his pioneering research on sustainable water treatment after presenting two peer-reviewed papers and serving in key leadership roles at a prestigious global environmental conference.
Prof. Moothi, a professor in the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, represented the NWU at the 8th International Conference and Postgraduate Colloquium of Environmental Research (POCER 2026) in Malaysia, held from 8 to 10 July 2026, where he showcased the engineering research by the university and strengthened its international research collaboration.
“For those of us working in chemical and environmental engineering, it provided an excellent platform to exchange ideas on sustainable technologies, water treatment, resource recovery and environmental stewardship, while also fostering international collaborations that are essential for addressing global challenges,” he said.
His participation also reinforced the growing international research footprint of the NWU by creating opportunities to showcase the impactful work taking place in the Faculty of Engineering.
At the conference, Prof. Moothi presented two peer-reviewed papers highlighting the work by his research group on developing innovative materials for sustainable water treatment.
The first paper, “Performance evaluation of waste plastic-derived carbon nanotube/polysulfone nanocomposite membranes for simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous media”, explored the use of carbon nanotubes synthesised from waste plastics to develop advanced membranes capable of removing multiple contaminants from water.
The second paper, “Hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an effective adsorbent in antibiotic removal from water”, focused on developing an innovative adsorbent capable of removing pharmaceutical contaminants from water resources.
Together, the studies demonstrate how waste materials can be transformed into advanced nanomaterials that improve water treatment while contributing to the circular economy.
“Our research focuses on transforming waste materials into high-value products with practical environmental applications,” Prof. Moothi explained.
“By converting waste plastics into carbon nanotubes and using advanced nanomaterials to improve water treatment processes, we are exploring solutions that not only improve water quality but also promote resource recovery and waste valorisation.”
He said the research was inspired by one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the world.
“Access to clean water remains one of the most significant global challenges, particularly as water resources become increasingly affected by industrial pollutants, pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants.”
His work aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Prof. Moothi also received international recognition after having been invited to chair a parallel technical session, where he led scientific discussions and facilitated engagement among researchers from around the world.
“Conferences are not only about sharing scientific findings, but also about fostering meaningful discussions, encouraging collaboration and supporting the broader research community,” he said.
“I was grateful to be entrusted with this responsibility and to contribute to the success of the conference in this way.”
He was also appointed as a judge for the postgraduate poster competition, where he evaluated research presented by postgraduate students and early-career researchers.
“It was encouraging to see the innovative approaches being applied to address environmental and sustainability challenges,” he said.
“Serving as a judge is also an opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of researchers by providing meaningful feedback and encouragement.”
Prof. Moothi's achievements at POCER 2026 culminated in one of his presentations receiving the Bronze Award for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation during the SDG Awards at the conference, sponsored by Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia.
“This recognition reinforces the importance of developing engineering solutions that address real-world challenges while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Beyond the presentations and awards, Prof. Moothi said one of the greatest strengths of the conference was the opportunity to establish international collaborations.
“One of the greatest values of international conferences is the opportunity to establish and strengthen professional networks,” he said.
The discussions opened opportunities for future collaboration in sustainable water treatment, environmental engineering and advanced materials, with potential benefits for postgraduate students, joint publications and future research projects.
“Research today is increasingly collaborative, and conferences such as POCER provide an important platform for building those long-term relationships.”
Looking ahead, Prof. Moothi plans to further advance sustainable water treatment technologies, strengthen international collaborations and translate his research into practical community solutions.
“Beyond advancing the research itself, I am also keen to translate these outcomes into meaningful community impact,” he said.
“By bridging research, innovation and community engagement, we can ensure that the knowledge generated in our laboratories contributes to real-world solutions, while also creating opportunities for student involvement and societal benefit.”
A Nation Research Foundation C2-rated researcher, Prof. Moothi has published more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles. His achievements at POCER 2026 further reinforce his international standing and the research excellence of the NWU.
One of Prof. Kapil Moothi's presentations earned him a bronze SDG Award at POCER 2026.
