PHOTOAIR

PROJECT TASKS


TASK NUMBER 1:

Task title:
Preparation of two-semiconductors nanocomposites (TiO₂ encapsulated with a wider band gap semiconductor).

Start date: 1                     End date: 6

Objective:
The main goal of this task is to develop a new photoactive materials, consist of two different semiconductors, with higher activity and stability than TiO₂.

The specific goal is to investigate the influence of preparation method (sol-gel, hydrothermal and microemulsion methods) and nanocomposites composition (types and amount of the semiconductors) on the surface properties and photoactivity of obtained nanocomposites.TiO₂ nanoparticles will be coated (encapsulated) with a wider band gap semiconductor (ZrO₂, GaN, SnO₂, Nb₂O₅) - core-shell structure


TASK NUMBER 2:

Task title:
Preparation of three-semiconductors nanocomposites (two low band gap photoactive materials and TiO₂).

Start date: 3                     End date: 9

Objective:
The main goal of this task is to develop a new photoactive materials, consist of three different semiconductors, with higher activity and stability than TiO₂.

The specific goal is to investigate the influence of preparation method (sol-gel, hydrothermal and microemulsion methods) and nanocomposites composition (types and amount of the semiconductors) on the surface properties and photoactivity of obtained nanocomposites. Three component active material will consist three different semiconductors, such as: TiO₂, SnO₂, ZrO₂, GaN, SnO₂, CdS and CdSe.


TASK NUMBER 3:

Task title:
Modification of the surface of two- and tree-semiconductors nanocomposites with noble metal nanoparticles (e.g. Ag, Au, Pt and Pd).

Start date: 5                     End date: 10

Objective:
The main goal of this task is to improve the photoactivity of two- and three components semiconductors materials by deposition of noble metals nanoparticles due to localized surface plasmon. The influence of preparation method (chemical reduction and photodeposition) and preparations condition (noble metal precursor type and concentration, type of reducing agent and used stabilizers) on size and size of noble metal nanoparticles will investigated.


TASK NUMBER 4:

Task title:
Characterization of obtained nanocomposites using XRD, XPS analysis, TEM microscopy, BET surface area measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy

Start date: 6                     End date: 15

Objective:
The aim of this task is to characterize of obtained nanocomposites considering surface properties. Characterization (including surface area, optical properties, electronic structure, crystal structure, phase content, surface composition, topography) will allow to correlate preparation methods with surface properties.


TASK NUMBER 5:

Task title:
Photoactivity measurements of obtained materials in model gas reaction (toluene degradation in gas phase) -using low powered light sources (LED and black fluorescent 9W UV lamps) - selection of nanocomposites with higher activity for the next step of investigation.

Start date: 8                     End date: 16

Objective:
The main goal of this task is to choose nanocomposites with best photoactivity to further investigation.

The another goal is to understand the mechanism of photoactivity of new generation active materials by correlation surface properties with photoactivity in model reaction.


TASK NUMBER 6:

Task title:
Design and build a prototype air treatment systems (laboratory scale)

Start date: 15                     End date: 18

Objective:
The main goal of this task is to design and built a prototypes of air treatment systems to find new solution of reactor geometry. New photocatalytic air treatment should allow to reduce cost and improve efficiency of air treatment by application of a new active materials.


TASK NUMBER 7:

Task title:
Measurement of efficiency of air treatment using prototypes.

Start date: 19                     End date: 24

Objective:
The aim of this task is to estimate the efficiency of designed novel photocatalytic system by evaluation of model compounds removal from gas phase. This estimation will allow to evaluate the economical aspects of proposed air treatment system and evaluate of potential future application.