Lai Yee Lee

Contact

• workRoom CA 21 Block C
  Malaysia Campus
  Jalan Broga
  43500 Semenyih
  Selangor Darul Ehsan
  Malaysia
• work+6 (03) 8924 8172
• lai-yee.lee@nottingham.edu.my

Biography

Dr. Lee Lai Yee obtained her Bachelor degree and PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. Her PhD research work involved the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by low pressure drop silicalite monoliths. Dr Lee is a chartered member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK (FHEA). She is also a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia and Board of Engineers Malaysia. She has established research in the field of nanotechnology, water and wastewater treatment and thermochemical conversion of biomass waste into value-added products at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Expertise Summary

Dr Lee's research interests centre on nanotechnology and advanced adsorptive separation, specifically, she has expertise on the development and testing of novel carbon nanomaterials, agricultural- and biowaste-based composites for environmental pollution control and product recovery. Her research focuses on configuring the composites into practical engineering structures such as low pressure drop monolith and 3D macro-engineering structures for adsorptive removal and recovery of pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, dyes and VOCs. Her research also involves the application of carbon nanomaterials in bioenergy and bioplastic development.

Dr Lee's research covers a range of important applications, such as wastewater treatment, recycling of biowastes into value-added products and recovery of valuable industrial commodities.She has expertise in the synthesis of various graphene, carbon nanotube and nanocrystalline cellulose composites, as well as biochar, biosorbent and activated carbon for pollution control and product recovery from industrial effluent. Her research also covers the synthesis of bio-fuel and biodegradable plastic from agricultural waste.

Teaching Summary

Dr. Lee Lai Yee is currently teaching Nanotechnology, Separation Processes 1, Engineering Thermodynamics and Process Engineering Fundamentals. She has taught ​Wastewater Treatment, Fluid Mechanics,… read more

Research Summary

Water and wastewater treatment Nanotechnology, encompassing carbon nanomaterials development for environmental pollution control Air pollution control, focussing on volatile organic compounds… read more

Selected Publications

• HIEW, B.Y.Z., TEE, W.T., LOH, N.Y.L., LAI, K.C., HANSON, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2022. Synthesis of a highly recoverable 3D MnO2/rGO hybrid aerogel for efficient adsorptive separation of pharmaceutical residue Journal of Environmental Sciences. 118, 194-203
• LAI, K.C., HIEW, B.Y.Z., TEE, W.T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2021. Usage of a new macro-hierarchical graphene sponge in batch adsorption and packed column configuration for efficient decontamination of cadmium in aqueous environment Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 9(5), 106057
• LAI, K.C., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2020. Facile synthesis of xanthan biopolymer integrated 3D hierarchical graphene oxide/titanium dioxide composite for adsorptive lead removal in wastewater Bioresource Technology. 309, 123296
• LAI, K.C., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., YANG, T.C.-K., PAN, G.-T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2020. Utilisation of eco-friendly and low cost 3D graphene-based composite for treatment of aqueous Reactive Black 5 dye: Characterisation, adsorption mechanism and recyclability studies Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 114, 57-66

• View all publications

Dr. Lee Lai Yee is currently teaching Nanotechnology, Separation Processes 1, Engineering Thermodynamics and Process Engineering Fundamentals. She has taught ​Wastewater Treatment, Fluid Mechanics, Applied Chemistry & Physics and The Engineering Industries. She is involved in the supervision of BEng Design Projects, MEng Projects, final year R&D projects and Process Engineering Laboratories.

Current Research

• Water and wastewater treatment
• Nanotechnology, encompassing carbon nanomaterials development for environmental pollution control
• Air pollution control, focussing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal
• Adsorption and membrane technologies
• Thermochemical conversion of biomass and agricultural wastes into biofuel
• Bio-plastic development from biomass and agricultural waste

• LAU, C.H., GAN, S., LAU, H.L.N., LEE, L.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and NG, H.K., 2022. Insights into the effectiveness of synthetic and natural additives in improving biodiesel oxidation stability Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 52(Part D), 102296
• TEE, W.T., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2022. Biochar as a remediation solution for pharmaceutical-contaminated wastewater Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG.
• TEE, W.T., LOH, N.Y.L., HIEW, B.Y.Z., HANSON, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2022. Effective remediation of lead(II) wastewater by Parkia speciosa pod biosorption: Box-Behnken design optimisation and adsorption performance evaluation Biochemical Engineering Journal. 187, 108629
• HIEW, B.Y.Z., TEE, W.T., LOH, N.Y.L., LAI, K.C., HANSON, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2022. Synthesis of a highly recoverable 3D MnO2/rGO hybrid aerogel for efficient adsorptive separation of pharmaceutical residue Journal of Environmental Sciences. 118, 194-203
• HIEW, B.Y.Z, LEE, L.Y., LEE, X.J., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2021. Utilisation of environmentally friendly okara-based biosorbent for cadmium(II) removal. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 28(30), 40608–40622
• LAI, K.C., HIEW, B.Y.Z., TEE, W.T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2021. Usage of a new macro-hierarchical graphene sponge in batch adsorption and packed column configuration for efficient decontamination of cadmium in aqueous environment Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 9(5), 106057
• LEE, X.J., HIEW, B.Y.Z., LAI, K.C., TEE, W.T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2021. Applicability of a novel and highly effective adsorbent derived from industrial palm oil mill sludge for copper sequestration: Central composite design optimisation and adsorption performance evaluation Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 9(5), 105968
• LEE, X.J., HIEW, B.Y.Z., LAI, K.C., TEE, W.T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S. and LEE, L.Y., 2021. Evaluation of industrial palm oil sludge as an effective green adsorbing substrate for toxic aqueous cadmium removal Materials Science for Energy Technologies. 4, 224-235
• PHUANG, Y.W., NG, W.Z., KHAW, S.S., YAP, Y.Y., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., 2021. Wet torrefaction pre-treatment of yard waste to improve the fuel properties. Materials Science for Energy Technologies. 4, 211-223
• LIM, E.H.X., CHONG, K.Y., CHOK, M.K., LOCK, C.H., CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., NG, H.K. and LEE, L.Y., 2021. Investigation of eggshell as catalyst on the torrefaction of empty fruit bunch Materials Science for Energy Technologies. 4, 189-201
• JAIDEEP, R., LO, W.H., LIM, G.P., CHUA, C.X., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., 2021. Enhancement of fuel properties of yard waste through dry torrefaction Materials Science for Energy Technologies. 4, 156-165
• LAI, K.C., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2020. Facile synthesis of xanthan biopolymer integrated 3D hierarchical graphene oxide/titanium dioxide composite for adsorptive lead removal in wastewater Bioresource Technology. 309, 123296
• LEE, X.J., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and NG, H.K., 2020. Valorisation of oil palm wastes into high yield and energy content biochars via slow pyrolysis: Multivariate process optimisation and combustion kinetic studies Materials Science for Energy Technologies. 3, 601-610
• LAI, K.C., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., YANG, T.C.-K., PAN, G.-T., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2020. Utilisation of eco-friendly and low cost 3D graphene-based composite for treatment of aqueous Reactive Black 5 dye: Characterisation, adsorption mechanism and recyclability studies Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 114, 57-66
• VASU, H., WONG, C.F., VIJIARETNAM, N.R., CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and NG, H.K., 2020. Insight into Co-pyrolysis of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) with Palm Oil Sludge (POS): Effect on Bio-oil Yield and Properties Waste and Biomass Valorization volume.
• CHONG, Y.Y., NG, H.K., LEE, L.Y., GAN, S. and THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., 2020. Kinetics and mechanisms for catalytic pyrolysis of empty fruit bunch fibre and cellulose with oxides SN Applied Sciences. 2(8)(1464),
• CHONG, Y.Y, THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and NG, H.K., 2020. Esterification and neutralization of bio-oil from palm empty fruit bunch fibre with calcium oxide Bioresource Technology Reports. 12(100560),
• HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., LEE, X.J., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., LIM, S.S., PAN, G.-T. and YANG, T.C.-K., 2019. Adsorptive removal of diclofenac by graphene oxide: Optimization, equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 98, 150-162
• HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., LAI, K.C., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., PAN, G.-T. and YANG, T.C.-K., 2019. Adsorptive decontamination of diclofenac by three-dimensional graphene-based adsorbent: Response surface methodology, adsorption equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies Environmental Research. 168, 241-253
• LAI, K.C., HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., CHIU, W.S. and KHIEW, P.S., 2019. Ice-templated graphene oxide/chitosan aerogel as an effective adsorbent for sequestration of metanil yellow dye Bioresource Technology. 274, 134-144
• LEE, X. J., HIEW, B. Y. Z., LAI, K. C., LEE, L. Y., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and RIGBY, S., 2019. Review on graphene and its derivatives: Synthesis methods and potential industrial implementation Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 98, 163-180
• LAI, K.C., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2019. Environmental application of three-dimensional graphene materials as adsorbents for dyes and heavy metals: Review on ice-templating method and adsorption mechanisms Journal of Environmental Sciences. 79, 174-199
• CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., NG, H.K. and LEE, L.Y., 2019. Effect of oxide catalysts on the properties of bio-oil from in-situ catalytic pyrolysis of palm empty fruit bunch fiber Journal of Environmental Management. 247, 38-45
• HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and GAN, S., 2019. Biosorption. In: Bioprocess Engineering: downstream processing Taylor & Francis Group. 143-164
• CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., NG, H.K., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and GANESAN, P.B., 2019. Catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose with oxides: effects on physical properties and reaction pathways Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy. 21(8), 1629–1643
• GAN, M.J., LIM, W.S., NG, H.X., ONG, M.H., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y. and THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., 2019. Enhancement of Palm Kernel Shell Fuel Properties via Wet Torrefaction: Response Surface, Optimisation and Combustion Studies Energy and Fuels. 33(11), 11009-11020
• HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., LEE, X.J., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., LIM, S.S., PAN, G.-T., YANG, T.C.-K., CHIU, W.S. and KHIEW, P.S., 2018. Review on synthesis of 3D graphene-based configurations and their adsorption performance for hazardous water pollutants Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 116, 262-286
• THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., LEE, C.W., GAN, S., NG, H.K. and LEE, L.Y., 2018. Comparison of Bio-Oil Properties from Non-Catalytic and In-Situ Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Materials Today: Proceedings. 5(11), 23456-23465
• LEE, X.J., LEE, L.Y., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S. and NG, H.K., 2017. Biochar potential evaluation of palm oil wastes through slow pyrolysis: Thermochemical characterization and pyrolytic kinetic studies Bioresource Technology. 236, 155-163
• CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., NG, H.K., GANESAN, P.B., GAN, S., LEE, L.Y., MANICKAVEL, V.S.A.R., ONG, C.M. and AL HINAI, H.S.R., 2017. Emulsification of bio-oil and diesel Chemical Engineering Transactions. 56, 1801-1806
• LEE, X.J., HIEW, B.Y.Z., LEE, L.Y., GAN, S. and THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., 2017. Evaluation of the effectiveness of low cost adsorbents from oil palm wastes for wastewater treatment Chemical Engineering Transactions. 937-942
• CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., NG, H.K., LEE, L.Y. and ADHIKARI, S., 2017. Kinetics and mechanisms for co-pyrolysis of palm empty fruit bunch fibre (EFBF) with palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge Energy and Fuels. 31(8), 8217-8227
• CHONG, Y.Y., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., GAN, S., NG, H.K. and LEE, L.Y., 2017. Synergic effect and kinetic mechanisms for co-pyrolysis of empty fruit bunch and palm oil sludge. Journal - The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. 78(1), 1 - 6
• LEE, X.J., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., GAN, S., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S and NG, H.K., 2017. Multistage optimizations of slow pyrolysis synthesis of biochar from palm oil sludge for adsorption of lead Bioresource Technology. 245, 944 - 953
• OOI, J., LEE, L.Y., HIEW, B.Y.Z., THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., LIM, S.S. and GAN, S., 2017. Assessment of fish scales waste as a low cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for removal of an azo dye: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies Bioresource Technology. 245, 656 - 664
• NG, H.W., LEE, L.Y., CHAN, W.L., GAN, S. and CHEMMANGATTUVALAPPIL, N., 2016. Luffa acutangula peel as an effective natural biosorbent for malachite green removal in aqueous media: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic investigations Desalination and Water Treatment. 57(16), 7302-7311
• LEE L.Y., GAN S., TAN M.S.Y., LIM S.S., LEE X.J. and LAM Y.F., 2016. Effective removal of Acid Blue 113 dye using overripe Cucumis sativus peel as an eco-friendly biosorbent from agricultural residue Journal of Cleaner Production. 113, 194-203
• LAM Y.F., LEE L.Y., CHUA S.J., LIM S.S. and GAN S., 2016. Insights into the equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamics of nickel removal by environmental friendly Lansium domesticum peel biosorbent Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 127, 61–70
• LEE, L.Y., CHIN, D.Z.B, LEE, X.J., CHEMMANGATTUVALAPPIL, N. and GAN, S., 2015. Evaluation of Abelmoschus esculentus (lady's finger) seed as a novel biosorbent for the removal of Acid Blue 113 dye from aqueous solutions Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 94, 329-338
• LEE, X.J., CHEMMANGATTUVALAPPIL, N. and LEE, L.Y., 2015. Adsorptive removal of salicylic acid from aqueous solutions using new graphene-based nanosorbents CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TRANSACTIONS. 45, 1387-1392
• THANGALAZHY-GOPAKUMAR, S., LEE, C.W., GAN, S., NG, H.K. and LEE, L.Y., 2015. Comparison of bio-oil properties from non-catalytic and in-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of palm empty fruit bunch In: Compendium of Papers of the 5th International Conference for Advances in Energy Research (ICAER 2015), Mumbai, India; 14–18 December 2015.
• LEE, L.Y., LEE, X.J., CHIA, P.C., TAN, K.W. and GAN, S., 2014. Utilisation of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) as biosorbent for the sequestration of nickel ions from aqueous solution: Equilibrium, kinetic, thermodynamics and mechanism studies Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. 45(4), 1764-1772
• OOI, J., LEE, X.J., CHEMMANGATTUVALAPPIL, N. and LEE, L.Y., 2014. Equilibrium and kinetic modelling of the removal of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution by new carbon nanosorbent In: 27th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMCHE 2014) in conjunction with 21st Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2014).
• LEE, X.J., LEE, L.Y., FOO, L.P.Y., TAN, K.W., HASSELL, D.G., 2012. Evaluation of carbon-based nanosorbents synthesised by ethylene decomposition on stainless steel substrates as potential sequestrating materials for nickel ions in aqueous solution Journal of Environmental Sciences. 24(9), 1559-1568
• GAN, S., HANSON, S., HASSELL, D. G., HII, C. L., KABIR, F., LAU, P. L., LEE, L. Y., LIM, S. S., SPOTAR, S., WILSON, T., 2012. The introduction of an autumn and spring activity week into the first year of a chemical engineering undergraduate program in Malaysia Education for Chemical Engineers. 7(3), e125-e132
• LEONG, Y. K., LEE, L. Y. and LAM, H. L., 2012. Utilization of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunch fiber as sorbent for the sequestration of oil from water In: 26th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE-2012) in conjunction with 4th International Conference on Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering (ICCBPE-2012), University of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.
• FOO, L. P. Y., TEE, C.Z., ISMAIL, N.R., HASSELL, D.G. and LEE, L.Y., 2011. Potential Malaysia agricultural waste materials for the biosorption of cadmium(II) from aqueous solution Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy. 12(5), 459 – 493
• FOO, L.P.Y. and LEE, L.Y., 2010. Preparation of activated carbon from Parkia Speciosa pod by chemical activation. In: Proceedings of World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2010 Vol II: WCECS 2010, October 20-22, 2010, San Francisco, USA II. Newswood Limited. 169-172
• FOO, L.P.Y., ISMAIL, N.R. and LEE, L.Y., 2010. A low cost adsorbent from acid pretreatment of Psidium Guajava peel. In: Proceedings of 17th Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE 2010): 22nd – 23rd November 2010 Thammasat University. 142
• ANG, A.W.N., TEH, G.C.A., RUSLI, I., LAI, M.Y. and LEE, L.Y., 2007. Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon from pineapple peel In: Proceedings of 21st Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers, 12th - 14th December 2007, UPM, Bangi, Malaysia.
• LEE, L.Y., PERERA, S.P., CRITTENDEN, B.D. and KOLACZKOWSKI, S.T., 2000. Manufacture and characterisation of silicalite monoliths Adsorption, Science & Technology. 18(2), 147-170