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. 

Phase I -31.12.2022

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

Phase I (summary)

During this stage, the experimental model for the synthesis of TiO₂-ZnO nanocomposites was developed by modifying the existing experimental set-up in the laboratory - to obtain simple TiO₂ nanoparticles, using laser pyrolysis as the synthesis method. By varying the synthesis parameters, several series of samples, nanopowders, were obtained, which were characterized morpho-structurally as well as from the point of view of optical properties, using complementary techniques. The nanocomposite powders mainly contain the anatase phase of TiO₂ and show an improvement of the optical properties towards the visible range by the presence of ZnO in different proportions. The efficiency and rate of photodegradation of the TiO₂-ZnO nanopowders were found to be approximately four times higher than those of simple TiO₂. This was tested in photodegradation processes using the methyl orange dye in comparison to both the industry standard Degussa P25 and the reference sample obtained through pyrolysis.

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 GAVRILA-FLORESCU, 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

Phase II (summary)

During this stage, the experimental model for the synthesis of TiO₂-SnO₂ nanopowders in a single step was realized, using laser pyrolysis, the variation of the synthesis parameters in order to obtain the desired properties for photocatalytic applications. At the same time, the following activities were carried out: a) development of the experimental model for obtaining M@TiO₂-ZnO/M@TiO₂-SnO₂ (M: Au, Ag, Pt, Pd) using the chemical impregnation and reduction technique, for nanopowders TiO₂-ZnO and TiO₂-SnO₂, selected as having the best results regarding the photodegradation of methyl orange in UV light; b) the morpho-structural characterization of the obtained nanocomposites as well as their optical properties regarding the improvement of absorption towards the visible range by decorating with noble metals and c) testing the M@TiO₂-ZnO/M@TiO₂-SnO₂ type nanopowders in photodegradation processes of the methyl orange dye both in UV and Vis light, as well as from the point of view of their biocompatibility on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cell line). The obtained results indicate photocatalysts of the M@TiO₂-ZnO type with MO photodegradation rates 2 times higher high in UV light and under Vis irradiation, 32 times higher compared to the industrial standard-P25. In the case of photocatalysts of the M@TiO₂-SnO₂ type, MO photodegradation speeds 6 times higher in UV light and 122 times higher in visible light compared to the industrial standard were obtained. The photocatalysts obtained in this stage show a higher biocompatibility on skin cells compared to the industrial standard. These findings underline the importance of exploring nanocomposites and synthesis methods to improve the safety profile of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the context of skin-related applications.

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.

Phase III- 14/05/2024

Biocompatible photocatalysts - optimization, selection and demonstration

Phase III duration: 01/01/2023 - 14/05/2024

The value allocated to the project from the state budget for 2024: 56.000 RON

Phase III (summary)

During this stage, the experimental conditions were optimized starting from the samples with the best results obtained in the previous stages (TS-5 and TZ-17) in order to improve the properties targeted in the project. For this purpose, the obtained samples were morpho-structurally and optically characterized, through complementary techniques, aiming at their performances in photocatalysis processes. Binary or ternary photocatalysts decorated with Au/Ag nanoparticles were tested in photodegradation processes of the methyl orange dye both in UV and Vis light, as well as from the point of view of their biocompatibility on kidney cells or human keratinocytes (HEK293 cell line respectively HaCaT ). All the materials reported in this stage show better results both from the point of view of photocatalytic properties and biocompatibility tests compared to the industrial standard P25, the best 3 configurations of photocatalysts for MO photodegradation in the visible were identified as: type Ag @ TiO₂-SnO₂-ZnO (22.65*10^-3 min^-1 - sample TZS-5-Ag), type Ag@ TiO₂ - ZnO (18.13*10-3 min-1 - sample TZ-17-Ag) and type Au@ TiO₂ - ZnO (9.6*10^-3 min^-1 - sample TZ-17-Au) compared to the industrial standard P25 Degussa (photodegradation rate 0.09*10^-3 min^-1 ). The Au@ TiO₂-ZnO photocatalyst (sample TZ-17-Au) is notable when considering the biocompatibility of these materials with respect to dermal or renal cells.

Dissemination of the results:

Articles published in ISI journals:

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 Sustainability, Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2904; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072904

Presentation of the results at conferences:

Anca CRIVEANU, Monica SCARISOREANU, Miruna STAN, Evghenii GONCEARENCO, Lavinia GAVRILA, Elena DUTU, Iulia LUNGU, "Biocompatibility study of the influence of loading process with noble metals on the properties of TiO₂ -SnO₂ nanoparticles", International Conference on Nano science and Nanotechnology (IC2N-2024), online presentation, 17.04.2024, MCF-IC2NBRAS-190424-1660C

Application for patent:

Scarisoreanu M, Goncearenco E, Gavrila-Florescu Lavini, Criveanu A, Morjan IP, Banici Ana-Maria “The process for obtaining TiO₂-SnO₂-Au nanopowder as a photocatalyst for environmental decontamination”- A/00230/30/04/2024