The Team of Photocatalysis research focuses on understanding heterogeneous photocatalytic processes, developing new materials, and exploring novel photosensitisation methods. Key research topics include: (a) Synthesis of materials for the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to solar fuels. Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide leads to simple compounds, such as methanol and methane, that act as an energy reservoir. An alternative approach is to use carbon dioxide to synthesise more advanced products. Our group has developed photocatalytic carboxylation, which incorporates a CO2 molecule into another organic molecule, forming a carboxylic acid. (b) Photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. Photocatalysts can convert absorbed light energy into chemical energy stored as hydrogen, which is considered a fuel of the future. The aim is to obtain multi-component materials harvesting a wide range of the solar spectrum and enhancing the photocatalyst's efficiency compared to single-component materials. (c) Heterogeneous photocatalysis can be used to depollute air, water, and surface. Our research has led to the development of technologies such as photocatalytic air deodorisation in refrigeration devices. (d) Recent research also involves heterogeneous photocatalysis to a selective transformation of organic compounds, such as the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds to their corresponding amines.
Our research is primarily focused on conducting in-depth investigations of the mechanisms of photocatalytic processes and the detailed characterisation of photocatalysts, with particular attention to those based on modified TiO2. We have developed innovative methods for determining the electronic structure of photocatalysts, which significantly affects their reactivity. The scientific community has shown significant interest in our discussion on the correct determination of the bandgap of semiconductors.
Examples of research projects:
"Photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic coatings with a gradient composition"
"Interfacial engineering of semiconductors for highly selective light-driven chemical transformations"
"Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide based on p-type semiconductors"
"Studies on the interaction of semiconductors with metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and its influence on photoinduced processes"
