Environmentally driven hybrid nano composites for Enhanced photocatalysis

This project is a collaboration between nano-TiO2 manufacturer Joma International AS and the nanomaterials and catalysis group at UiB, and is essentially a 3-year post-doc program. The project aims to develop new and improved materials for photocatalysis, a process where the material acts as a catalyst allowing sunlight or UV-light to react with and break down organic pollutants near the material. A superior photocatalyst could even lead to sunlight splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, which would unlock a whole new techology for renewable energy. The path to improving the photocatalytic activity is via hybrid materials, combining the best properties of two materials. Work in 2015 focused on synthesis of graphene, graphene oxide and 1st generation hybrid materials based on improved Hummers method and other methods from literature. The first syntheses gave a graphite/GO layer around the TiO2 that completely inhibited photactivity (even at 1:99 mass ratio). It was then found that simple additional steps gave the wanted transformation to graphene oxide. A minor breakthrough in the process development is that the same additive functions both as nanoparticle stabiliser during the process and as reducing agent for the graphite->graphene transformation. However the wanted activity increase was not achieved. From 2016, work focused on TiO2-clay and TiO2-silica structures, using both synthetic and natural materials. In order to achieve compatibility of active photocatalysts with organic materials such as paints and polymers Joma and UiB worked together to create hybrid materials that trap titanium dioxide nanoparticles within a protective but permeable shield, similar to a cage. The idea is to allow pollution to enter the cage to be photocatalytically converted, while maintaining a separation of the photocatalyst from the polymer. Three types of structures were tested: hollow clay materials, engineered silica nanoporous materials and natural nanustructured minerals such as diamtomite. Towards the end of the project, there was finally a breakthrough in activity, with materials showing significant increase in NOx breakdown per gram of TiO2. This proves the potential of such hybrid structures. The best results were achieved using materials or methods not suitable for a direct commercial scale-up, but the potential is considered proven. In addition the learnings from the project have already inspired new solutions in using hybrid structures for smart delivery nanoparticles to chemcial or physical interfaces.

The project encompasses the research stage of the total development cycle, from ideas to labscale prototype materials. The project is a 3 year project running 2014-2016, including 2 years of post-doc work. The project is considered to be fundamental rese arch in nanomaterials for environmental applications. The project will be a close collaboration between Joma and UiB group for nanochemistry and catalysts, where the proximity and overlap of expertise will ensure both parties pull in the same direction. The formal project will focus on materials development and characterization, predictive model building and process development, as well as securing IP. In parallel, Joma will work with potential customers and manufacturers. The project will employ a pos t-doc in the UiB group and involve two professors in addition to the Joma technical staff (up to 4 PhDs). The technical content of the project consists of several work packages: -Literature and prior art searches, publication and patenting -Manufacturing 1st generation graphene-tio2 photocatalysts -Developing new porous superstructures or carriers for photocatalysts -Ongoing characterization of materials developed -Experiment design, predictive model building and definition of model materials -Manufactu re 2nd generation hybrid photocatalysts -Process development (scalability, safety, costefficiency) The project is considered fundamental research on nanomaterials, but with a clear route to commercial applications and the direction of the later stages wi ll be influenced by market demands and customer input.