Project description
Tackling water pollution with light-driven catalysis
Water pollution is a growing global concern, threatening ecosystems and human health. Traditional treatment methods are often inefficient against modern industrial pollutants. Photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) is an emerging technology that uses light and electricity to break down harmful substances in water. PEC has mainly been used for clean energy applications like hydrogen production but is now gaining attention for its potential in water purification. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PATCH PROJECT aims to boost PEC performance by developing a new material that combines two semiconductors and include gold nanoparticles to increase light absorption and reaction efficiency. Using a clean synthesis method, the project seeks to create a scalable, eco-friendly solution for safer, cleaner water.
Objective
Water pollution has become a critical global challenge with serious environmental and health consequences, driven by rapid industrialization, poor waste management, and ineffective sewage systems. Addressing this critical issue requires innovative and efficient water treatment technologies. Among such technologies, photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) combines photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, showing great promise for pollutant degradation. While PEC has primarily been explored for hydrogen production, its application in water decontamination is increasingly important, highlighting the need for advanced materials to enhance PEC performance. BiVO4, a well-studied n-type semiconductor, offers potential for PEC due to its narrow band gap and low cost. However, its performance is limited by poor charge separation and high recombination rates. To overcome these challenges, this project focuses on developing a CuO/BiVO4 heterojunction, which improves charge separation through the creation of a p-n junction, leading to enhanced photocatalytic performance. The inclusion of plasmonic nanoparticles, especially gold (Au), will further improve PEC activity by increasing light absorption, boosting charge transfer, and facilitating more efficient redox reactions, resulting in effective pollutant degradation.
Synthesis challenges, such as scalability and purity, will be tackled using pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL), an environment-friendly and efficient technique for fabricating nanomaterials. PLAL offers advantages in controlling nanoparticle size, ensuring strong interfacial contact, and producing high-quality materials.
Through the development of a plasmonic nanoparticle-enhanced CuO/BiVO4 heterojunction for PEC pollutant degradation, this project aims to deliver a scalable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable solution for water purification, contributing to cleaner water and a healthier planet.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
69622 Villeurbanne Cedex
France
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.