Integrated Single-Atom Catalysts for Piezo(photo)catalysis and Remediation of Emerging Micropollutants

Objetivo

Emerging micropollutants (MPs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), threaten ecosystems and public health due to their extreme stability and toxicity. Conventional treatment technologies largely fail to destroy these compounds, creating an urgent need for transformative, sustainable solutions. INSPIRE project will pioneer single-atom catalysts (SACs) integrated piezo(photo)catalytic ultrafiltration membranes to achieve rapid and energy-efficient PFAS degradation. SACs provide atom-efficient, pro,oting charge separation, while polymer-stabilised designs prevent aggregation and leaching. Embedding these catalysts into polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes induce β-phase transition further, enables synergistic photocatalysis and piezocatalysis, exploiting the piezo-phototronic effect to suppress electron–hole recombination and accelerate pollutant mineralisation.
The project combines: (i) design of earth-abundant metal based SACs on polymeric supports typically polymeric graphitic carbon nitride, (ii) scalable immobilisation onto PVDF membranes via green fabrication routes, (iii) advanced operando spectroscopy and modelling to unravel degradation pathways, (iv) lab level pilot-scale validation, and (v) integrated life-cycle and techno-economic assessments. Hosted at VSB–TUO, INSPIRE delivers high-impact publications, patentable SAC-membrane technologies, and training in photocatalysis, membrane engineering, and sustainability. The project aligns with Horizon Europe missions, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), establishing a scalable platform for safe water and advancing the researcher’s career toward ERC-level independence.