Razvoj fotokatalitičkih polimernih nanokompozita za obradu otpadnih voda

Development of Photocatalytic Polymer Nanocomposites for Wastewater Treatment

Environmental problems associated with water pollution are an important issue correlated negatively with the health and ecosystem. The main goal of this proposal is to develop novel polymer nanocomposites of extending photoactivity toward visible region under UV/VIS light irradiation and to introduce an innovative technology for water purification. The conducting polymers (CPs) are known as good hole conducting materials1 and are combined with semiconductor nanoparticles to produce a synergistic effect and complementary properties. Due to that Polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conducting polymers will be studied with metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO) nanoparticles to develop polymer nanocomposite photocatalysts (CPNPs) with enhanced photocatalytic properties. The optimal structure-properties relationships are crucial for efficient degradation of organic contaminants in water to convert them into harmless chemicals. Novel CPNPs will be applied in photocatalytic degradation of organic azo dyes (reactive red 45 and methyl orange) chosen as targeted wastewater pollutants. The utilization of waste material, fly ash, as a catalyst support will be explored to provide the additional environmental benefit. The proposed integral approach that will be used in the evaluation of the process efficiency will scrutinize any negative implications of CPNPs application. The project will contribute to the development and modernization of science and technology in Croatia, advancing toward the knowledge-based society within the European research area. Project includes a multidisciplinary effort, ranging from polymer science and technology, chemistry and environmental chemistry to electrochemical engineering, in order to meet challenging project tasks and propose an efficient photocatalytic polymer nanocomposite for sustainable water treatment technology. 1. M.R. Karim, C.J. Lee, Y.T. Park, M.S. Lee, J. Polym. Chem. 14 (2006) 5283–5290.