Final Report Summary - SUNARQ (Novel sunlight-active nanoarchitectures for environmental and human health protection studied with a new multi-technique methodology at operando conditions)
For a strong European Research Area (ERA), Europe must stay competitive with the rest of the world in forefront aspects of science. Amongst them, nanotechnology, environmentally friendly technologies, environmental and human health protection are considered hot topics of research. Furthermore, factors such as less energy consumption or even improved used of energy must be connected with usual human activities. Therefore, there is a demand to maintain and improve European competitiveness and expertise in such fields by applying sustainability rules. In such context, the utilisation of solar-light energy by nanomaterials has become a field of intensive research. Synthesis of novel and effective nanomaterials that are able to utilise sunlight energy for environmental cleaning and human health protection is of grade importance. To accomplish this goal, a deep understanding of nanomaterial's physical and chemical properties is considered fundamental. The main research objective of the present project was to develop novel environmental friendly photocatalysts, activated under solar-light irradiation, for chemical / biological decontamination applications and human-health protection. In parallel to the research objectives, the beneficiary's background was complemented with the necessary interdisciplinary profile, by training him in lab-based and advanced synchrotron-based characterisation techniques and synthesis methodologies for the relevant materials.
The beneficiary's competence enhancement and research skills enrichment has been achieved through the establishment of:
(a) complementary multidisciplinary expertise in the field of nanomaterials synthesis, size / shape control;
(b) expertise on classical and advanced characterisation techniques used for the study of the physicochemical properties of the relevant materials;
(c) expertise on the application of the relevant materials;
(d) contact with world-class research centres.
For the first part of the project, a series of TiO2-based nanomaterials were prepared. The microemulsion method was applied for the preparation of single- and co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials with metal (iron, copper, vanadium) and non-metal (sulphur) dopants. Hybrid TiO2-based biomaterials (polymer / oxide nanocomposites) were also synthesised by melt processing. The inorganic component was from the previous step. Films of the hybrid nanocomposites were developed using polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl alcohol as polymer matrixes. The nanomaterials were characterised using a multi-technique methodology; up-to-date techniques were used for the study of amorphous and crystalline materials as well as their properties in situ under relevant (synthetic, reaction) conditions. Basic characterisation of all catalysts was performed using a variety of spectroscopic and analytical techniques (porosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, ultraviolet-visible, etc.). In addition, in situ spectroscopic characterisation of the prepared nanomaterials was performed using DRIFTS and synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction and adsorption spectroscopic techniques in order to follow the genesis / nucleation of the final catalysts and ascribe the effect of the preparation method used on the structural and surface properties. Photocatalytic activity evaluation of the TiO2-based powders was performed against gas-phase photo-oxidation of environmental pollutants under both ultraviolet and sunlight irradiation. Disinfection capabilities of the hybrid polymer / oxide nanocomposites were evaluated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
The combination of the multi-technique methodology applied for the characterisation of the nanomaterials and the photocatalytic activity evaluation allowed the understanding of the final, industrially-oriented chemical properties of the studied systems by setting up firm structure / activity relationships. The output of the research will help on the synthesis of more effective catalysts, essential for applied science in industry. Such output was disseminated to the scientific community in four SCI publications and 1 international congress while other two publications are in preparation. One technical publication related to the setting up of operando reactor tools for catalytic studies was also reported.
The beneficiary's competence enhancement and research skills enrichment has been achieved through the establishment of:
(a) complementary multidisciplinary expertise in the field of nanomaterials synthesis, size / shape control;
(b) expertise on classical and advanced characterisation techniques used for the study of the physicochemical properties of the relevant materials;
(c) expertise on the application of the relevant materials;
(d) contact with world-class research centres.
For the first part of the project, a series of TiO2-based nanomaterials were prepared. The microemulsion method was applied for the preparation of single- and co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials with metal (iron, copper, vanadium) and non-metal (sulphur) dopants. Hybrid TiO2-based biomaterials (polymer / oxide nanocomposites) were also synthesised by melt processing. The inorganic component was from the previous step. Films of the hybrid nanocomposites were developed using polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl alcohol as polymer matrixes. The nanomaterials were characterised using a multi-technique methodology; up-to-date techniques were used for the study of amorphous and crystalline materials as well as their properties in situ under relevant (synthetic, reaction) conditions. Basic characterisation of all catalysts was performed using a variety of spectroscopic and analytical techniques (porosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, ultraviolet-visible, etc.). In addition, in situ spectroscopic characterisation of the prepared nanomaterials was performed using DRIFTS and synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction and adsorption spectroscopic techniques in order to follow the genesis / nucleation of the final catalysts and ascribe the effect of the preparation method used on the structural and surface properties. Photocatalytic activity evaluation of the TiO2-based powders was performed against gas-phase photo-oxidation of environmental pollutants under both ultraviolet and sunlight irradiation. Disinfection capabilities of the hybrid polymer / oxide nanocomposites were evaluated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
The combination of the multi-technique methodology applied for the characterisation of the nanomaterials and the photocatalytic activity evaluation allowed the understanding of the final, industrially-oriented chemical properties of the studied systems by setting up firm structure / activity relationships. The output of the research will help on the synthesis of more effective catalysts, essential for applied science in industry. Such output was disseminated to the scientific community in four SCI publications and 1 international congress while other two publications are in preparation. One technical publication related to the setting up of operando reactor tools for catalytic studies was also reported.