Faculty <br /> of Applied Sciences
Faculty
of Applied Sciences

Dr. R.M.S.I. Rathnayake

Dr. R.M.S.I. Rathnayake 

Senior Lecturer Gr II

PhD in Nanotechnology and Materials Science (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
BSc Hons in Chemistry (Peradeniya)
Email :indunil@uwu.ac.lk
Phone : +94 553559113

Research Interest

  • Nanomaterials Synthesis
  • Characterization and their Applications
  • Water Purification
  • Waste Management
  • Environmental Remediation
  • Controlled Drug Delivery

Publications

Rathnayake, S. I., Xi, Y., Frost, R. L. & Ayoko, G. A. (2015). Structural and thermal properties of inorganic–organic montmorillonite: Implications for their potential environmental applications. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 459, 17-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.07.071
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021979715300904?via%3Dihub

Rathnayake, S. I., Xi, Y., Frost, R. L. & Ayoko, G. A. (2016). Environmental applications of inorganic–organic clays for recalcitrant organic pollutants removal: Bisphenol A. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 470, 183-195. doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2016.02.034
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002197971630114X

Ma, L., Rathnayake, S. I., He, H., Zhu, R., Zhu, J., Ayoko, G. A., Li, J., & Xi, Y. (2016). In situ sequentially generation of acid and ferrous ions for environmental remediation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 302, 223‒232. doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.05.065
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S138589471630688X?via%3Dihub

Bao, T., Chen, T., Wille, M. L., Ezzatahmadi, N., Rathnayake, S. I., Chen, D. & Frost, R. (2016). Synthesis, application and evaluation of non-sintered zeolite porous filter (ZPF) as novel filter media in biological aerated filters (BAFs). Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4, 3374-3384. doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2016.07.003
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213343716302536?via%3Dihub

Rathnayake, S.I., Martens, W. N., Xi, Y., Frost, R.L., & Ayoko, G.A. (2017). Remediation of Cr (VI) by inorganic-organic clay. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 490, 163-173. doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2016.11.070
Available from:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002197971630947X?via%3Dihub

Bao, T., Chen, T., Ezzatahmadi, N., Rathnayake, S. I., Chen, D., Wille, M. L. & Frost, R. (2017). A performance evaluation of a new iron oxide‒based porous ceramsite (IPC) in biological aerated filters. Environmental Technology, 38 (2017) 827-834. doi:10.1080/09593330.2016.1213769
Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593330.2016.1213769

Rathnayake, S. I. (2017). Synthesis, Characterisation and Application of Inorganic-Organic Clays for Water Purification. Ph.D. by Publication, Queensland University of Technology. 
Available From: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/104320/

Rathnayake, S. I., Xi, Y., Frost, R. L. & Ayoko, G. A. (2017). Simultaneous removal of inorganic and organic contaminants from water by inorganic-organic clays. XVI International Clay Conference, Granada, Spain. Available from:https://scientevents.com/scientific-research-abstracts/

Piyasena, K. L. R. I., Rathnayake, S. I. & Pitawala, H. M. J. C. (2019) Characterisation and implications for potential environmental applications of montmorillonite extracted from clay deposits in Murunkan, Sri Lanka. International Research Symposium. Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Available from: http://192.248.93.15/handle/123456789/650

Induruwage, S.S., Alakolanga, A., Rathnayake, S.I., Senarathna, K.G.C. & Wijesekara, K.B. (2020). Extraction and Isolation of Anti-hyperglycemic Compounds from Cheilocostus speciosus to produce sustained release formulations. International Research Conference. Uva Wellassa University of Sri LankaAvailable from:http://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/6071

Mihiravi, H., Lochana, E.A.L., Rathnayake, S.I., Alakolanga, A., Senarathna, K.G.C., Premarathne, E.P.N. & Wijesekara, K.B. (2020). Intercalation of Acarbose into Sodium Montmorillonite for Sustained Release Formulation. International Research Conference. Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka Available from: http://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/6068

Kawmudhi, P. A.S., Lochana, E.A.L., Premarathne, E.P.N., Alakolanga, A.G.A.W., Rathnayake, S.I., (2021). A Study on Sustained Drug Releasing Properties of Acarbose Intercalated Na-montmorillonite for Potential Pharmaceutical Applications. 5th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University.

Tissera, W.M.J.C.M., Rathnayake, S.I., Abeyrathne, E.D.N.S., (2021). Extraction and Purification of Chitin and Chitosan from Portunus pelagicus Crab Shell Waste. 5th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University.

Tissera, W.M.J.C.M., Rathnayake, S.I., Abeyrathne, E.D.N.S., Nam K. C. (2021). An improved extraction and purification method for obtaining high-quality chitin and chitosan from blue swimmer (Portunus pelagicus) crab shell waste. Food Science and Biotechnology, 30 1645–1655.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-021-01002-x

Ongoing research and projects:

Characterisation and Implications for Potential Environmental Applications of Montmorillonite Extracted from Clay Deposits in Murunkan, Sri Lanka.

University Research Grants 2019: Extraction and Isolation of Anti-Hyperglycemic Compounds from Cheilocostus Speciosus and Intercalation with Montmorillonite for Sustained Release Formulations

Research Grants, Uva Wellassa University, Grant No. UWU/RG/2019/010

Synthesis and Characterization of Controlled Release Drug Formulations

Positions Held

Team Leader, Self-Evaluation Report Writing Team, Programme Review 2020, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Jan 2020 – Date. 

Faculty Coordinator, Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Nov 2019 – Date.

Coordinator, Curriculum Development Team, Bachelor of Science Honours in Materials Science Degree, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Apr 2019 – Date.

Team Leader, Faculty Handbook, Faulty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. 2018 – 2020

Sub-coordinator, Activity 4, AHEAD World Bank Project, Faulty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. Jul 2018 – Date.

Memberships and Awards

Chartered Member of Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI C.Chem.). 2017 – Date

Member of American Chemical Society (ACS) 2018 – Date

Outstanding Doctoral Thesis award: Executive Dean’s Commendation Award, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 2017

QUT Post Graduate Research Award (QUTPRA), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 2013 – 2016

QUT Tuition Fee Scholarship, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 2013 – 2016

Teaching

  • SCT 442-2 Composites and Polymer Blends
  • SCT 492-6 Research Project
  • SCT 341-2 Chemistry for Materials Science
  • SCT 356-2 Materials Characterisation Techniques-II
  • SCT 348-1 Soft Materials and Applications
  • SCT 385-2 Material Science Group Project
  • SCT 384-1 Surface and Colloidal Science
  • SCT 231-2 Physical Chemistry
  • BST 221-2 Industrial Chemistry