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PNTS PROJECT DESCRIPTION & GOALS

The main goal of the present proposal is the development of highly extended 3D carbonaceous@TiO2 heterojunctions with improved photocatalytic performance for environmentally friendly reactions. The development of high-surface area activated carbon/graphene (or graphene-derivatives) 3D networks as a platform to grow a thin TiO2 nanofilm will give rise to optimal photocatalysts based on the Z-scheme heterojunction model, taking advantage of the excellent photocatalytic performance of TiO2 and graphene, and the superior conversion of light in the confined nanospace of activated carbon materials.

The development of a controlled porous network and well-defined surface chemistry (including a welldispersed TiO2 nanofilm) will provide a bifunctional system able to adsorb and convert simultaneously or in pulsed-mode

  1. CO2 into value-added chemicals, and
  2. Water pollutants into harmless compounds.

The consortium has already experience in the development of electrochemical devices and portable measuring equipment.

Based on these premises, the main output of the project will be to integrate components into a single device to get improved functionalities.

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The development of electrochemical devices are important to preserve water against pollution risk.

The project is expected to develop:

  1. Chemical synthesis methods of 3D carbonaceous@TiO2 heterojunctions,
  2. To estimate the potential of these materials for application in photocatalysis,
  3. The associated energy saving,
  4. To train young researches, and
  5. To be a platform to exchange competence and knowledge between project partners.

PARTNERS

For this project, our partners are

INFLPR Magurele, Romania

IMT Bucharest, Romania

EPI-SISTEM ACTIVITIES IN 2025

(1.1) Characterizing carbonic, extended specific surface materials by the way of voltmetric methods (for unspecified materials - 1st step) and (1.2) spectrometric methods (for materials covered in TiO2)

(1.3) 3D Modeling of the prototypes used for catalytic reactors (3D Design, 3D Print), followed by (1.4) the putting together of the specifications for a photocatalysis reactor control installation and preparing an experimental model.

(1.5) Dissemination and participation to events (includes publishing articles, as well as making presentations)

ACTIVITIES IN 2026

(2.1) Writing specifications and designing a modular photocatalytic reactor control plant for wastewater treatment.

(2.2) Optimization of photocatalytic reactor control modules for wastewater treatment: hardware and software.

(2.3) Application of catalytic methods for decontamination (co2, VOC, wastewater); the influence of the light radiation intensity on the photocatalytic process; determination of pollutants in water by electrochemical methods.

(2.4) Dissemination of results and participation in presentation events.