Chamila Gunathilake

Dr. Chamila Gunathilake

Chemical & Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Central, Sri Lanka
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 October 2024 in Chemical Society Reviews
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Chamila GunathilakeChamila Gunathilake
Chamila Gunathilake
ISIbrahim Soliman
Ibrahim Soliman
Dhruba PanthiDhruba Panthi
Dhruba Panthi
PTPeter Tandler
Peter Tandler
OFOmar Fatani
Omar Fatani
MJMietek Jaroniec
Mietek Jaroniec
The transformation from combustion-based to renewable energy technologies is of paramount importance due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the dramatic increase in atmospheric CO2 levels resulting from growing global energy demands. To achieve the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the full implementation of clean and sustainable energy sources is essential. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for zero or low-carbon fuels with high energy density that can produce electricity and heat, power vehicles, and support global trade. This review presents the global motivation to reduce carbon dioxide by utilizing hydrogen technology, which is key to meeting future energy demands. It discusses the basic properties of hydrogen and its application in both prototype and large-scale efficient technologies. Hydrogen is a clean fuel and a versatile energy carrier; when used in fuel cells or combustion devices, the final product is water vapor. Hydrogen gas production methods are reviewed across renewable and non-renewable sources, with reaction processes categorized as green, blue, grey, black, pink, and turquoise, depending on the reaction pathway and CO2 emissions management. This review covers the applications of hydrogen technology in petroleum refining, chemical and metrological production, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), backup power generation, and its use in transportation, space, and aeronautics. It assesses physical and material-based hydrogen storage methods, evaluating their feasibility, performance, and safety, and comparing HFCEVs with battery and gasoline vehicles from environmental and economic perspectives. Finally, the prospects and challenges associated with hydrogen production, handling, storage, transportation, and safety are also discussed.

28 February 2022 in Atmosphere
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OGOneesha Hishendri Panditha Gunawardene
Oneesha Hishendri Panditha Gunawardene
Chamila GunathilakeChamila Gunathilake
Chamila Gunathilake
Kumar VikrantKumar Vikrant
Kumar Vikrant
SASumedha M. Amaraweera
Sumedha M. Amaraweera
Due to rapid industrialization and urban development across the globe, the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been significantly increased, resulting in adverse effects on the climate and ecosystems. In this regard, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered to be a promising technology in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Among the CO2 capture technologies, adsorption has grabbed significant attention owing to its advantageous characteristics discovered in recent years. Porous carbon-based materials have emerged as one of the most versatile CO2 adsorbents. Numerous research activities have been conducted by synthesizing carbon-based adsorbents using different precursors to investigate their performances towards CCS. Additionally, amine-functionalized carbon-based adsorbents have exhibited remarkable potential for selective capturing of CO2 in the presence of other gases and humidity conditions. The present review describes the CO2 emission sources, health, and environmental impacts of CO2 towards the human beings, options for CCS, and different CO2 separation technologies. Apart from the above, different synthesis routes of carbon-based adsorbents using various precursors have been elucidated. The CO2 adsorption selectivity, capacity, and reusability of the current and applied carbon materials have also been summarized. Furthermore, the critical factors controlling the adsorption performance (e.g., the effect of textural and functional properties) are comprehensively discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions have also been summarized.

15 November 2021 in Molecules
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SASumedha M. Amaraweera
Sumedha M. Amaraweera
Chamila GunathilakeChamila Gunathilake
Chamila Gunathilake
OGOneesha Hishendri Panditha Gunawardene
Oneesha Hishendri Panditha Gunawardene
NFNimasha M. L. Fernando
Nimasha M. L. Fernando
DWDrashana B. Wanninayaka
Drashana B. Wanninayaka
AMAruna Manipura
Aruna Manipura
Starch is one of the most common biodegradable polymers found in nature, and it is widely utilized in the food and beverage, bioplastic industry, paper industry, textile, and biofuel industries. Starch has received significant attention due to its environmental benignity, easy fabrication, relative abundance, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. However, native starch cannot be directly used due to its poor thermo-mechanical properties and higher water absorptivity. Therefore, native starch needs to be modified before its use. Major starch modification techniques include genetic, enzymatic, physical, and chemical. Among those, chemical modification techniques are widely employed in industries. This review presents comprehensive coverage of chemical starch modification techniques and genetic, enzymatic, and physical methods developed over the past few years. In addition, the current applications of chemically modified starch in the fields of packaging, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, superabsorbent and wastewater treatment have also been discussed.

23 April 2015 in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
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Chamila GunathilakeChamila Gunathilake
Chamila Gunathilake
JGJoanna Górka
Joanna Górka
SDShen Dai
Shen Dai
MJMietek Jaroniec
Mietek Jaroniec
Amidoxime-modified ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) materials were prepared by co-condensation synthesis of OMS with cyanopropyl groups followed by their conversion into amidoxime groups, and tested for uranium adsorption under seawater conditions.

5 September 2022 in Environmental Research
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DPDinusha Peramune
Dinusha Peramune
DMDanushika C. Manatunga
Danushika C. Manatunga
RDRohan Dassanayake
Rohan Dassanayake
VPVikum Premalal
Vikum Premalal
RLRenuka N. Liyanage
Renuka N. Liyanage
Noureddine AbidiNoureddine Abidi
Noureddine Abidi

17 May 2022 in Sustainability
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Ashoka Sriyani GamageAshoka Sriyani Gamage
Ashoka Sriyani Gamage
ALAnu Liyana
Anu Liyana
AMAsanga Manamperi
Asanga Manamperi
Chamila GunathilakeChamila Gunathilake
Chamila Gunathilake
SMSudhagar Mani
Sudhagar Mani
TERRENCE MADHUJITHTERRENCE MADHUJITH
TERRENCE MADHUJITH
Protected cultivation in modern agriculture relies extensively on plastic-originated mulch films, nets, packaging, piping, silage, and various applications. Polyolefins synthesized from petrochemical routes are vastly consumed in plasticulture, wherein PP and PE are the dominant commodity plastics. Imposing substantial impacts on our geosphere and humankind, plastics in soil threaten food security, health, and the environment. Mismanaged plastics are not biodegradable under natural conditions and generate problematic emerging pollutants such as nano-micro plastics. Post-consumed petrochemical plastics from agriculture face many challenges in recycling and reusing due to soil contamination in fulfilling the zero waste hierarchy. Hence, biodegradable polymers from renewable sources for agricultural applications are pragmatic as mitigation. Starch is one of the most abundant biodegradable biopolymers from renewable sources; it also contains tunable thermoplastic properties suitable for diverse applications in agriculture. Functional performances of starch such as physicomechanical, barrier, and surface chemistry may be altered for extended agricultural applications. Furthermore, starch can be a multidimensional additive for plasticulture that can function as a filler, a metaphase component in blends/composites, a plasticizer, an efficient carrier for active delivery of biocides, etc. A substantial fraction of food and agricultural wastes and surpluses of starch sources are underutilized, without harnessing useful resources for agriscience. Hence, this review proposes reliable solutions from starch toward timely implementation of sustainable practices, circular economy, waste remediation, and green chemistry for plasticulture in agriscience