TE 31/2022 (EN)

Contract nr. TE 31/2022

Project Name: Biocompatible nanomaterials for visible light photocatalytic applications

Project Code: PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-1306

Program: Pr. 1- Subprogramme 1.1 – Human Resources, Research projects to stimulate young independent teams

Project Director: Scarisoreanu Monica
Coordinator: National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR Magurele)
Financing source: Executive Unit for Funding Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)

Project Abstract:

The scientific motivation of this proposal relates to the latest social and legislation trends aimed to protect the population from the effects of pollution, by cleaning the environment. On the one side, this proposal aims to improve the photocatalytic properties of TiO2. The NABI4Photo project proposes a novel approach – the obtaining of new architectures based on TiO2 nanoparticles, namely TiO2-SnO2 and TiO2-ZnO nanocomposites decorated with noble metals using a rapid, one-step procedure – laser pyrolysis. Optical, morphological and structural characterizations of the nanocomposites will be performed, as well as their photodegradation efficiency of different organic pollutant. On the other side, the development of appropriate photocatalytic materials for wastewater treatments should be associated with biocompatible and nontoxic properties. In order to provide a rigorous toxicological evaluation, the risk assessment needs to include the analysis of the potential effects induced by photocatalysts on human health. Therefore, it is obvious that an interdisciplinary research is required to reveal the full picture of the impact of photoactive materials on the health of living. The outcome of NABI4Photo can have a significant social and economic impact by contributing to the improvement of the quality of life through the development of cheap and efficient technologies for environmental cleaning. 

First phase - 31/12/2020

TiO2-ZnO nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications

Phase I duration: 15/05/2022 - 30/12/2022

The value allocated to the project from the state budget for 2022:  136.800 RON

Dissemination of the results

The Variation of Structural and Functional Properties of Laser Processed TiO2/SnO2 Binary Nanocomposites,  Evghenii GONCEARENCO, Elena DUTU, Monica SCARISOREANU, Iuliana MORJAN, Lavinia GAVRILAFLORESCU, Anca Daniela CRIVEANU, Ana- Maria NICULESCU, Valentin TEODORESCU, Ioana FORT, The International Conference on Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation – Science and Technology , Bucharest, Romania, June 7-10, 2022.

Phase II - 29/12/2023

TiO₂-ZnO and TiO₂-SnO₂ decorated with noble metals - obtaining and evaluation of their photocatalytic and biocompatible properties

Phase II duration: 01/01/2023 - 29/12/2023

The value allocated to the project from the state budget for 2023: 257.200 RON

Dissemination of the results:

Articles published in ISI journals:

1. Goncearenco E, Morjan IP,  Fleaca C.T, Dumitrache F, Dutu E, Scarisoreanu M,  Teodorescu V.S, Sandulescu A, Anastasescu C, Balint I, Titania nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ethanol under simulated solar light, Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 14, 616-630. 

2. Goncearenco E, Scarisoreanu M, Fleaca C.T, Dutu E, Criveanu A, Morjan IP, Viespe C, Galca A.C, Teodorescu V.S, Fort C.I, Stan M, The influence of SnO₂ and noble metals on the properties of TiO₂ for environmental applications, submitted to the ISI journal.

Presentation of the results at conferences:

1. Evghenii GONCEARENCO, Monica SCARISOREANU,  Iuliana MORJAN, Lavinia GAVRILA-FLORESCU, Iulia Ioana LUNGU, Florian DUMITRACHE, Valentin TEODORESCU, Ioana FORT, The influence of ZnO and noble metals addition on the photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ in visible light, E-MRS 2023 Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, Franta, 29 May - 2 June 2023 (C_P01_30_2436).

2. Evghenii GONCEARENCO, Elena DUTU, Monica SCARISOREANU, Anca Daniela CRIVEANU, Ana- Maria NICULESCU, Claudiu Teodor FLEACA, Valentin TEODORESCU, Ioana FORT, Complex ternary TiO₂/SnO₂/ZnO nanocomposites with photocatalytic properties obtained by facile one-step laser method, E-MRS 2023 Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, Franta, 29 May - 2 June 2023 (C_P02­-43_2441).

3. Evghenii GONCEARENCO, Iulia Ioana LUNGU,  Monica SCARISOREANU, Iuliana MORJAN, Izabela CONSTANTINOIU, Cristian VIESPE, Valentin TEODORESCU,  Ioana FORT, TiO₂/SnO₂ Nanocomposites obtained by laser pyrolysis technique-properties and applications, 21st International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics and Materials Science (IBWAP-2023), Constanța, Romania, 11 - 14  July 2023.