SUNARQ · Novel sunlight-active nanoarquitectures for environmental and human health protection studied with a new multi-technique methodology at operando conditions

The main goal of this project is to develop novel environmental friendly photocatalysts. The work would follow three principal directions: 1.Synthesis of novel heterogeneous TiO2 catalysts 2.Identification of the reaction mechanism 3.Applications in environmental/human-health problems, such as priority organic pollutants and harmful microorganisms in gas and liquid phase. Many of the photocatalytic reactions reported so far are activated by UV light and do not exploit the “green” potential of the method. Here, new TiO2 catalysts will be developed to achieve efficient photocatalytic activity in the visible light range based on: i) the exhaustive exploration of co-doping of TiO2 controlled nanoarquitectures (size/shape) with metallic (Fe, V, W) and nonmetallic (N) ions. ii) Synthesis of novel hybrid TiO2 based biomaterial with an inorganic component based in step i) or alternative sunlight-active photocatalysts. These materials pose extended antimicrobial activities and will allow production of thin films and/or membranes. Polymer-oxide materials act as true “remote” photocatalytic systems, eliminating the need of direct contact between the photoactive oxide and the pollutants. They will be used for biological and/or chemical depollution, with easy recovery and reuse and long term stability, eliminating most of the drawbacks of powder TiO2 based photocatalysts. For the solid characterization and the identification of the reaction mechanism a joint and not explored Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and computational chemistry approach will be used. Emphasis will be put on the innovative use of time-resolved spectroscopies in a “differential mode” at real “operando” conditions and theoretical interpretation to unravel most important aspects of charge carrier handling, e.g. capture and fate while at surface and to firmly establish structure-activity relationships.