1. Photocatalytic treatment of persistent organic pollutants
1.1. The photocatalytic process in which the reactive oxygen species are created in situ remains one of the most promising approaches for water treatment to decompose persistent organic pollutants belonging to the group of pharmaceutical agents that are not prone to biological degradation. However, the correlation between morphological properties of semiconductor materials and their photocatalytic activity is crucial for design new and more efficient photocatalytic systems. The possibility of using the knowledge of crystallography of single crystals in the research of nanocrystals with facet exposition is a key to understand crystal growth and surface chemistry at the nanoscale. In this regard, understanding the formation of semiconductor materials with exposed specific crystal facets allows studying their interactions with chemical species at the atomic level and may contribute to improved photocatalytic activity. In this regard, the effect of synthesis parameters, composites' structural properties, and photocatalytic activity in reactions of persistent organic pollutants photodegradation are and will be investigated.
1.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental.
1.3. Keywords: photocatalysis, crystal facet engineering, diclofenac, acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen degradation
2. Synthesis of carbonaceous nanomaterials
2.1. Various carbon-based precursors, including 'green' biomass, could be converted into the usuful materials through pyrolysis or hydrothermal treatment. Several originaly obtained materials has been studied for potential applications including: catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction, anodes for lithium-sulfur and Na-ion batteries, coatings protecting metals against corrosion, fillers of polymeric membranes for selective transportation of water vapour, and nanodots as an anti-biofouling agent. There is a need for further research on carbon materials consisting of random stacks of short-range graphene sheets and the search for original applications for these materials.
2.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental.
2.3. Keywords: carbonaceous nanomaterials; graphene; electrocatalysis; batteries; biomass charring
3. Mass and heat transfer in swirl flow gas-liquids contactors
3.1. The phenomenon of mass and heat transfer in two-phase gas-liquid systems has been intensively investigated for last a few decades. Despite many publications on this topic and huge progress in hydrodynamic phenomena, mass and energy transfer modelling, these problems are still insufficiently understood in the systems where there is a free surface of liquid flowing spirally with simultaneous gas barbotage. Better understanding and developing a mathematical model describing the mass exchange and energy in systems with spiral two-phase gas-liquid flow will contribute to increasing the economy of industrial processes and environmental protection. Despite the extreme complexity of described above phenomena the researchers interest of this subject is still growing with each year, as evidenced by the number of publications concerning new solutions of microreactors with porous partitions, membranes or nanomaterials.
3.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental, technical.
3.3. Keywords: mass transfer, heat transfer, gas-liquid contactor, residence time, spinning fluids reactor, interfacial area, hydrodynamic of gas-liquid flow
4. Heterogeneous photocatalysis development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOFs/semiconductor hybrid systems for photocatalytic pollutants degradation and CO2 photoconversion)
4.1. One of the most important aims of the long-term EU strategy is achieving a net-zero-greenhouse emission economy. The anthropogenic emissions of CO2 is draws particular attention, therefore CO2 capture and usage is an important option to mitigate CO2 emissions. Overcoming past barriers in the CO2 conversion into valuable chemicals using solar energy would bring us closer to theses challenging goals. The development in CO2 photoconversion processes could be stimulated by new photochemical composite materials, as well as, applying of highly porous materials to pre-concentrate the CO2. Metal organic frameworks have appeared as most promising type materials for CO2 capture. Additional modification of MOFs by ionic liquids should increase CO2 adsorption capacity of the photocatalyst surface, resulting in enhanced yield of CO2 photoconversion.
4.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental.
4.3. Keywords: metal organic frameworks, ionic liquids, CO2 photoconversion, CO2 separation, functional materials
5. Heterogenous catalysis in petrochemical industry
5.1. The research area focuses on two main aspects: obtaining hydrogen and syngas from conventional and unconventional sources using heterogeneous catalysis. In this regard, research concerns the developing new catalysts along with detailed physicochemical characteristics. The considered raw materials for hydrogen production are conventional fuels, biofuels and waste products from various industries. The second aspect of the research includes the synthesis of synthetic fuels with the use of unconventional raw materials i.e. syngas derived from reforming. The conducted research also includes the development of new catalyst systems and new types of reactors for the production of hydrocarbons.
5.2. Nature of the research: theoretical, experimental, technical.
5.3.Keywords: reforming, synthetic fuels, catalysts, heterogeneous catalysis
