Academic Building (B3)-Room 231
Department of Biosystems Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: rdassanayake@sjp.ac.lk

Dr. Rohan S. Dassanayake, a Biophysical Chemist, received his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Chemistry (2008) from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, his Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry (2014) at Kent State University, USA under the supervision of Professor Nicola Brasch. In 2015, Dr. Dassanayake joined the research group of Professor Noureddine Abidi at Texas Tech University, USA as Postdoctoral Research Associate. In 2018, he accepted a Chemistry Assistant Professor position at Ithaca College, USA. He returned to Sri Lanka and joined the Department of Biosystems Technology in the Faculty of technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2019 where he is currently working a Senior Lecturer.

Research Keywords: Nanobiomaterials, CO₂ sequestration, Environmental Remediation, Kinetics and Mechanistic Studies, Material Science, Industrial Bioprocessing, Nanobiotechnology, Food Packaging, Nanoclays, Biopolymers, Cellulose, Alginate, Chitin and Starch

 

Other Activities: Watching Movies and Travelling

Removal of toxic chemicals and sorption of greenhouse gases (GHGs) using biomaterials and biomaterials-derived composites There is significant interest in research that enables the new means of adapting to future challenges in wastewater treatment and controlling industrial gas emissions. The presence of excessive amounts of toxic contaminants in water resources and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will have an immense impact on the earth as well as for the increasing population on the earth. Over the last few decades, the natural resources of water and the quality of the earth’s atmosphere have been depleting. The release of domestic and industrial pollutants has contaminated many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters, and industrial gas emissions have impacted the balance of troposphere for the past several decades, resulting in severe environmental and human health issues, and impacting the economy worldwide. Therefore, there is an increased demand for the development of non-petroleum based cheap, non-toxic and bio-incompatible chemicals/materials for sequestration, removal, and recycling of toxic chemicals while preserving water and air quality. Recently, biomaterial-based composites have recently started to gain attention as renewable, sustainable and biocompatible materials for the remediation of toxic chemicals from wastewater streams and mitigation of industrial gas emissions. Therefore, my current and future research focuses on developing sustainable, environmentally benign, economically feasible, and renewable biomaterials-based composite materials for sequestering of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, remediation of industrial dye wastewater, food packaging, and biomedical applications.

Plasticizers: distribution and impact in aquatic and terrestrial environments Manatunga, D. C., Sewwandi, M., Perera, K. I., Jayarathna, M.D., Peramune, D. L., Dassanayake, R. S., Ramanayaka, S. and Vithanage, M., Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 2024, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EM00317A

Facile Fabrication of 3D-Printed Cellulosic Fiber/Polylactic Acid Composites as Low-cost and Sustainable Acoustic Panels, Wijekoon, N.K., Appuhamillage, G. A., Dassanayake, R. S., Liyanage, R. N., Mapage, D., Wijenayake, A., Lokuge, E. L., Rajapaksha, S. M., Abeygunawardane, G. A., and Senarath. N. D. D. D., Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 2024, 8, 100168.

Polysaccharide-Based Bioplastics: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Solutions for Packaging, Gamage, A., Thiviya, P., Liyanapathiranage, A., Wasana, M. L. D., Jayakodi, Y., Bandara, A., Manamperi, A, Dassanayake, R. S., Evon, P., Merah, O., and Madhujith, T., Journal of Composites Science, 2024, 8 (10), 413.

Detection of Microplastics from Domestic Laundering Using Attenuated Total Reflectance – Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. ICSBE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Nitharshan, V., Kolambage, S., Gobalakrishnan, T., Niriella, A., Jayanaka, N., Gajanayake, P., and Dassanayake. R. S., 2024,  Vol 517, Springer, Singapore, pp 385.394.

Nitrogen-enriched Liquid Organic Fertilizers (LOFs) Production for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review, Kolambage, S. H., Gajanayake, P., Kumarasingha, U., Manathunga, D., Dassanayake, R. S., Jayasinghe, R., Jayasiri, N., and Wijethunga, A., International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2024, 13 (4), 132440

Nitroxyl Donating and Visualization with a Coumarin-based Fluorescence Probe, Chen, J., Cui, Y., Wu, P., Dassanayake, R. S., Yu, P., Fu, K., Sun, Z., Liu, Y., and Zhou, Y. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2024, 316, 124317

Impact of Vitamin D on Ultraviolet-Induced Photoaging and Skin Diseases. Ambagaspitiya, S. S., Appuhamillage, G. A., and Dassanayake. R. S. Exploration of Medicine, 2024, 5, 363-383

The Impact of Vacuum Pressure on Efficiency and Long-Term Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated Using Chemical Vapor Deposition Technique, Perera. K, W., Premalal, V. A., Dassanayake, R. S. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2024, 35 (10), 1-11.

Structure, Properties, and Recent Developments in Polysaccharide-and Aliphatic Polyester-Based Packaging—A Review, Marasinghe, W. N., Jayathunge, K. G. L. R., Dassanayake, R. S., Liyanage, R., Bandara, P.C., Rajapaksha, S. M., Gunathilake, C., Journal of Composites Science, 2024, 8 (03), 114.

3D and 4D Printing of Biomedical Materials: Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook, Appuhamillage, G. A., Ambagaspitiya, S. S., Dassanayake, R. S., Wijenayake, A. Exploration of Medicine, 2024, 5. 17.

Carbon Capture Using Porous Silica Materials, Amaraweera, S. M., Gunathilake, C. A., Gunawardene, O. H. P., Dassanayake, R. S., Cho, B., Du, Y. Nanomaterials, 2023, 13, 2050

Recent Developments in Edible Films and Coatings for Fruits and Vegetables, Liyanapathiranage, A., Dassanayake, R. S., Gamage, A., Karri, R. R., Manamperi, A., Evon, P., Jayakodi, Y., Madhujith, T.,
Merah, O. Coatings, 2023, 13, 1177.

Algal polysaccharides: Structure, preparation and applications in food packaging, Thiviya, P., Gamage, A., Liyanapathiranage, A., Makehelwala, M., Dassanayake, R.S., Manamperi, A., Merah, O.,
Mani, S., Koduru, J.R., Madhujith, T. Food Chem. 2023, 405, 134903.

Antimicrobial MXene-based conductive alginate hydrogels as flexible electronics, Wu, Qin Z., Dassanayake, R., Sun, Z., Cao, M., Fu, K., Zhou, Y., Liu, Y., J. Chem. Eng. 2022, 140546.

Recent advances in biopolymer-based advanced oxidation processes for dye removal applications: A review, Peramune, D., Manatunga, D.C., Dassanayake, R.S., Premalal, V., Liyanage, R. N., Gunathilake,
C. Abidi, N. Environ. Res. 2022, 215, 114242.

Zirconium containing periodic mesoporous organosilica: The effect of Zr on CO2 sorption at ambient conditions. Gunathilake C., Dassanayake R. S., Fernando C. A. N., Jaroniec M. J. Compos. Sci.
2022, 6 (6), 168.

Preparation and Characterization of Dual-Modified Cassava Starch-Based Biodegradable Foams for Sustainable Packaging Applications, Amaraweera S. M., Gunathilake C., Gunawardene O. H. P.,
Dassanayake R. S., Fernando N. M. L., Wanninayaka D. B., Rajapaksha S. M., Manamperi A., Gangoda M., Manchanda A., Fernando C. A. N., Kulatunga A. K., Manipura A. ACS Omega, 2022, 7(23), 19579,

Suitability of Reusing the Spent Diatomaceous Earth in Brick Production: A Review, Nanayakkara R., Gunathilake C., Dassanayake R. S. Adv. Technol. 2022, 2(2), 151.

Polysaccharides-based Manganese Dioxide Composites for Dye Removal, Peramunde D., Manatunga D. C., Dassanayake R. S., Premlal V,. Liyanage R. N. Academia Letters, 2022, DOI: 10.20935/AL4634.

Development of starch-based materials using current modification techniques and their applications: A Review, Amaraweera S. M, Gunathilake C., Gunawardene O. H. P., Fernando N. M. L.,
Wanninayaka D. B., Dassanayake R. S., Rajapaksha S. M.,Manamperi A., Fernando C. A. N., Kulatunga A. K., and Manipura A. Molecules, 2021, 26(22), 6880.

Compatibilization of Starch/Synthetic Biodegradable Polymer Blends for Packaging Applications: A Review, M., Gunawardene O. H. P., Gunathilake C., Amaraweera S. M., Fernando N. M. L., Wanninayaka
D. B., Manamperi A., Kulatunga K. M. A. K., Rajapaksha S. M., Dassanayake R. S., Fernando C. A. N., and Manipura A. J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(11), 300.

Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Cassava Starch Thin Films for Potential Food Packaging Applications, Amaraweera S. M., Gunathilake C., Gunawardene O. H. P, Fernando N. M. L., Wanninayaka D. B., Manamperi A., Dassanayake R. S., Rajapaksha S. M., Gangoda M., Fernando C. A. N., Kulatunga A. K., and Manipura A. Cellulose, 2021, 28(16), 10531.

Recent Advances in Biopolymer-Based Dye Removal Technologies, Dassanayake R. S., Archarya S., and Abidi N., Molecules, 2021, 26(15), 4697.

Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals by Current Spectroscopic Techniques, Dassanayake R. S., Dissanayake, N., Fierro, J. S., Abidi, N., Quitevis, E. L., Boggavarappu, K., Thalangamaarachchige, V.
D., Appl. Spectrosc. Rev. 2021, 58 (3), 180-205.

Hydrogels: Next Generation Atmospheric Water Harvesting Materials, Dassanayake, R. S., Nilmini R., Adv. Technol. 2021, 1(1), 1.

Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Modified Starch, Gunawardene, O. H. P., Gunathilake, C. A., Amaraweera A. P. S. M., Fernando, N. M. L.,  Manipura,  A., Manamperi, W. A., Kulatunga, K. M. A. L., Rajapaksha. S. M., Gamage, A., Dassanayake, R. S., Weerasekara, B. G. N. G., Fernando. P. N. K., Fernando, C. A. N., and Jayasinghe, J. A. S. C. J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(2), 46

Synthesis of Hematite Nanodiscs from Natural Laterites and Investigating their Adsorption Capability of Removing Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ Ions from Aqueous Solutions, Gunawardhana, B. P. N., Gunathilake, C. A., Dayananda, K. E. D. Y. T., Dissanayake, D. M. S. N., Mantilaka, M. M. M. G. P. G., Kalpage, C. S., Rathnayake, R. M. L. D., Rajapakse, R. M. G., Manchanda, A. S., Etampawala, T. N. B., Weerasekara, B. G. N. G., Fernando, P. N. K., Dassanayake, R. S., J. Compos. Sci. 2020, 4, 57

Emerging Investigator Series: Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Fabricated on a Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for CO₂ Sequestration at Elevated Temperatures, Gunathilake, C, A., Ranathunge, G. G. T. A., Dassanayake, R. S.,  IllesingheS. D., Manchanda, A. S.,Kalpage, C. S., Rajapakse, R. M. G.,  Karunaratne, D. G. G. P. Environ. Sci. Nano, 2020, 7,1225

Facile Synthesis and Surface  Characterization of Titiania-Incorporated Mesoporous Organosilica Materials, Gunathilake, C., Kalpage, C., Kandanapitiye, M., Dassanayake R. S., Manchanda, A. S., and Gangoda, M. J. Compos. Sci. 2019, 3, 77

Waste Cotton Fiber Derivatives as Reinforcements of Portland Cement Concrete, Hettiwatte, M. C., Dassanayake. R., Senadheera. S.,  Jayawickrama, P. and Abidi, N.  98th Annual Meeting Transpotaion Research Board (TRB), 2019, Washington DC, USA, pp 19-03568.

Cotton Cellulose-CdTe Quantum Dots Composite Films With Inhibition of Biofilm-Forming S.aureus, Dassanayake R. S., Wansapura P. T., Hamood, A., Tran, P.,  and Abidi, N, Fibers, 2019, 7, 1-14 

Borax Cross-linked Guar Gum-Manganese Dioxide Composites for Oxidative Decolorization of Methylene Blue, Dassanayake,  R. S., Rajakaruna, E. and Abidi, N. J. Nanomater.2019, 2019, Article ID 7232715, 1-11  

Development of Alumina-Mesoporous Organosilica Hybrid Materials for Carbon Dioxide Adsorption at 25 °C, Gunathilake, C., Dassanayake, R. S., Kalpage, C. S., and Jaroniec, M. Materials, 2018, 11, 2301

Preparation and CO₂ Adsorption on Activated Carbon Derived from Chitin Aerogels, Dassanayake, R. S.; Gunathilake, C.;  Jaroniec, M.  and Abidi, N. Cellulose, 2018, 25, 1911-1920

Preparation of Aerochitin-TiO₂ Composite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue, Dassanayake R. S.; Rajakaruna, E. and Abidi N. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 135, 45908

Amidoxime-functionalized Nanocrystalline Cellulose-Mesoporous Silica Composites for Carbon Dioxide Sorption at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures, Dassanayake R. S.; Gunathilaka, C.; Dassanayake A.; Jaroneic M. and Abidi N.  J. Mater. Chem. A. 2017, 5, 7462-7473

Guar Gum as Efficient Non-toxic Inhibitor of Carbon Steel Corrosion in Phosphoric Acid Medium: Electrochemical, surface, DFT and MD simulations studies, Messali, M.; Lgaz, M.; Dassanayake, R.; Salghi, R.; Jodeh, S.; Abidi, N. and Hamed, O. J. Mol. Struct. 5, 2017, 43-54

Optimization and Validation of Cryostat Temperature Conditions for Trans-reflectance Mode FTIR Microspectroscopic Imaging of Biological Tissues, Dassanayake, R. S.; Liyanage, S.; Bouyanfif, A.; Rajakaruna, E.; Ramalingam, L.; Moustaid-Moussa, N. and Abidi, N. MethodsX, 2017, 4, 118-127

Preparation of Chitin-CdTe Quantum Dots Films and Antibacterial Effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Wansapura P. T., Dassanayake R. S., Hamood, A.,Tran, P., Moussa, H  and Abidi, N. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44904-44914

Rapid Photoactivable Generation of Nitroxyl (HNO) Under Neutral pH Conditions, Zhou, Y.; Cink, R. B.; Dassanayake, R. S.; Seed, A. J.; Brasch, N. E. and Sampson, P. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 13229-13232

Kinetic Studies on the Reaction of Cob(II)alamin with Hypochlorous Acid: Evidence for one electron oxidation of the metal center and corrin ring destruction. Dassanayake, R. S.; Farhath M. M.; Basu S. and Brasch, N. E. J. Inorg. Biochem. 2016, 163, 81-87

One-Pot Synthesis of MnO₂-Chitin Hybrids for Effective Removal of Methylene Blue, Dassanayake,  R. S.; Rajakaruna, E.; Moussa, H. and Abidi, N. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2016, 93, 350-358

Amidoxime-Functionalized Microcrystalline Cellulose-Mesoporous Silica Composites for Carbon Dioxide Sorption at Elevated Temperatures, Gunathilake, C.; Dassanayake, R. S.; Abidi, N. and Jaroniec, M. J. Mater. Chem. A. 2016, 4, 4808-4819

Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Aerocellulose-derived Activated Carbon Monoliths, Dassanayake, R. S.; Gunathilake, C.; Jackson, T.; Jaroniec, M. and Abidi, N. Cellulose, 2016, 23, 1363-1374

Inhibitive Action of Capparis Spinosa Extract on the Corrosion of Carbon Steel in an Aqueous Medium of Hydrochloric Acid, Id El Mouden, O.; Anejjar, A.; Salghi, R.; Jodeh, S.; Hamed, O.; Warad, I.; Zougagh M. and Dassanayake, R. S.  J. Mineral Metal. Mater. Eng. 2015, 1, 1-7

Changes in Methionine Metabolites and Histone H3 Tri-methylation in Multiple Sclerosis, Li, S.; Singhal, N.; Arning, E.; Alkhayer, K.; Clements, R.; Sarcyk, Z.; Dassanayake, R. S.;  Brasch, N. E.;  Freeman, E.;  Bottiglieri, T.  and McDonough, J. J. Neurosci. 2015, 35, 15170-15186

Pulse Radiolysis and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/HRMS) Studies on the Reactions of the Carbonate Radical with Vitamin B₁₂ Complexes: Evidence for the destruction of the corrin ring, Dassanayake, R. S.; Shelley, J. T.; Cabelli, D. E. and Brasch, N. E. Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 6409-6419

Pulse Radiolysis of the Reaction of Nitrogen Dioxide Radical with Vitamin B₁₂ complexes, Dassanayake, R. S.; Cabelli, D. E. and Brasch, N. E.  J. Inorg. Biochem. 2015, 142, 54-58

Pulse Radiolysis Studies on the Reaction of the Reduced Vitamin B₁₂ Complex Cob(II)alamin with Superoxide, Dassanayake, R. S.; Cabelli, D. E. and Brasch, N. E. ChemBioChem. 2013, 14, 1081-1083

Mechanistic Studies on the Reaction of Nitrocobalamin with Glutathione: Kinetic Evidence for Formation of an Aquacobalamin Intermediate, Walker, D. T.; Dassanayake, R. S.; Garcia, K. A.; Mukherjee, R. and Brasch, N. E. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2013, 3049-3053

Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies on the Reactions of the Reduced Vitamin B₁₂ Complex, Cob(I)alamin, with Nitrite and Nitrate, Plymale, N. T.; Dassanayake, R. S; Hassanin, H. A. and Brasch, N. E. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2012, 913-921

 

Book Chapters

Enriched Clay-Polymer Composites and Their Applications, Peramune, D.,  Peduruhewa, P., Hewawardhana, S., Perera, W. P.Y.,Sandaruwan, H. H. P. B.,  Manatunga, D. C., Dassanayake, R. S., In Book Clay Composites: Environmental Applications, 2023, Springer Nature Singapore Pp 279-295. 

Biogeochemistry: Essential Link between Geosphere and Biosphere, Ranaweera, D., Kumarasinghe, U., Senanayake, C., Dassanayake, R. S., Bandara, P. C., Koliyabandara, P. A. In Book Medical Geology: Enroute to One Health, 2023, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Pp 37-54.

Radon and Health, Peramune, D., Dissanayake, N., Thalangamaarachchige, V.D., Farhath, M. N. M., Dassanayake, R. S. In Book Medical Geology: En route to One Health, 2023, Publisher:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Pp 95-110.

Interaction of Arsenic with Biochar in Water and Soil: Principles, Applications, and Prospects. In: Niazi, N.K., Bibi, I., Aftab, T. (eds) Global Arsenic Hazard. Koliyabandara, P.A., Kumarasinghe, U., Manatunga, D.C., Jayasinghe, R., Dassanayake, R.S., Vithanage, M. (2023). Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. pp 129-158.

Polysaccharides-Based Food Packaging Films: An Overview, In book: Food Packaging: Safety, Management and Quality, Chapter 1, Peramune, D. L., Ranaweera, S., Marasinghe, W. N., Manatunga, D.C., Jayathunge, K. G. L. R., Dassanayake, R. S., 2022, Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, DOI:doi.org/10.52305/SEPV4757.

Novel Acumens into Biodegradation: Impact of Nanomaterials and Their Contribution, Manatunga D. C., Dassanayake R. S., Liyanage R. N, In book Biodegradation, InTechOpen, 2021, DOI:
10.5772/intechopen.98771.

Cellulose Aerogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications, Dassanayake, R. S and Abidi, N. In book: Cotton Fibres: Characteristics, Uses and Performances, Eds. Gordon, S. and Abidi, N. NOVA Science Publishers, chapter 10, 2017, pp 207-230             

Cotton Cellulose-Derived Hydrogels with Tunable Absorbability: Research Advances and Prospects, Hu Y., Dassanayake R. S., Archarya S., and Abidi N, In book Cellulose-Based Supersorbent Hydrogels, Springer International Publishing, Cham, 2018, pp 1-27

Biopolymer-Based Materials from Polysaccharides: Properties, Processing, Characterization and Sorption Applications, Dassanayake R. S., Archarya S., and Abidi N, In book Advanced Sorption Processes Applications, InTechOpen, 2018, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.80898

 

Newspaper Articles

Current Trends in Biopolymer-based Food Packaging, BIO-NEWS (Newsletter), Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, Rohan S. Dassanayake 2023, Volume 3, Issue 4.

Atmospheric Water Harvesting  (AWH) by Hydrogels for Addressing Global Water  Scarcity, Vidya E-News, Research & Innovation Division of the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka, Rohan S. Dassanayake, December 15, 2023.

Genetically Modified Prodcuts in Health Care Applications, The 7th publication of the Biosafety Newsletter (Newsletters from the Decentralized Offices), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Dassanayake R. S., 2022, Vol. 4, Issue 1 (March-May), Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Water Qulity: Atmospheric Water Harvesting: Hope from Extracting Water from Air, Dassanayake R. S. The Eath and I Magazine, A Publication of the Hyo Jeong International Foundation for the Unity of the Sciences (USA), April/May Issue, 2022.

Next Generation Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), Dassanayake R. S., Vikum Premlal, Perera W. Sunday Observer, 2022, Jan 16, pp. 10

Removal of Textile Dyes Using Advanced Oxidation Technologies, Dassanayake R. S., Peremune D., Sunday Observer, 2021, Nov 28, pp. 1.

PFAS the Forever Chemicals, Dassanayake R. S., Daily News, 2021, Dec 17, pp. 1.

Faculty of Technology at USJ to Hold International Technology Conference Soon, Dassanayake R. S.,  Sunday Observer, 2021, Nov 11, pp. 6.

Double Masking: For Improved Protection Against Covid-19, Dassanayake R. S., Daily News, 2021, Jun 8, pp. 1.

Benefits of Studying Technology Stream At an Advanced Level, Dassanayake R. S.,  Daily News, 2020, Sep 23, pp. 4

Newspaper Article: Should Sri Lanka Be Worried About Nanoplastics?, Dassanayake R. S., the Sunday Times 2, 2019, Dec 29, pp. 6