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Boosting water depollution: development of a novel hybrid photocatalytic membrane for removal of contaminants of emerging concern

Project description

Membrane removes pollutants from water

Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), are garnering significant global attention due to their persistent presence in the environment and potential health implications. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HYCEM project aims to develop a Z-scheme photocatalytic membrane optimised for removing these contaminants from water. The project will also use surface engineering to enhance the membrane’s structure, creating a unique electron transfer pathway and dendritic morphology. To address challenges, it will develop a hybrid system that combines degradation and separation, using visible light for the degradation process to offer an environmentally friendly alternative. Additionally, the project will provide valuable data for future chemical treatments.

Objective

Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds, are drawing serious global attention due to their persistent nature in the environment and potential health implications. To address these challenges, I haveHYCEM is centered on the development of an innovative Z-scheme photocatalytic membrane optimized for the degradation of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water. Furthermore, this project aims to improve the heterojunction structure by applying surface engineering which results in dendritic morphology and unique electron transfer channels. By harnessing a hybrid system of degradation and separation by developing a metal-organic framework (MOF) photocatalytic heterojunction, immobilized on a PDOT membrane with the epitaxial growth method, HYCEM will overcome challenges related to low photoactivation, rapid charge recombination, limited surface area, and stability.
Emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), are drawing global attention due to their persistent nature and potential health implications. Addressing this, the integrated HYCEM system not only promises effective CEC degradation but also eliminates intermediate by-productsmitigating secondary pollution, optimizing photocatalyst reuse and coping with the challenges of the commercial application.
A pioneering facet of HYCEM is its ability to utilize visible light for degradation, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional energy-intensive UV light methods. Additionally, this project will enrich our knowledge on CEC degradation pathways, presenting invaluable data for future chemical oxidative treatments.
Beyond the technical advancements, HYCEM also emphasizes my training, enhancing my skills in diverse aspects of management and leadership to a high level, ensuring I gain both specialized knowledge in the field and broader competencies that will significantly improve my professional development.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 191 760,00
Address
OUDE MARKT 13
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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