Research Areas
The main focus of the Environmental Nanogroup has been the design and development of advanced nanomaterials and technologies for applications in environmental chemistry and sustainable applications in catalysis. Our group is currently working on three major areas: 1) Earth-abundant materials for environmental applications, 2) single-atom catalysts for advanced catalytic applications and 3) photo- and electrochemical applications. The first area covers the development of iron-based species (e.g., zero-valent iron, nanocomposites with biochar) for environmental applications, including water purification via removing toxic materials, or for the investigation of ecotoxicity of metal-based nanoparticles. In the same area, other inexpensive metals such as Co and Ni are explored. The second area is focused on catalytic applications of nanoparticles in the size of subnanometres and single-atom catalysts, supported on various carbon-based supports, for essential organic transformations. Within the third area, the attention shifts to various photo- and electrocatalysis applications such as photocatalytic organic pollutant degradation and energy applications. In addition, the use of microwave and flow reactor is explored for the transformation of selected pharmaceutical important molecules.
Research Areas:
- Zero-valent iron chemistry and applications, including biochar-based nanocomposites and ecotoxicity of nanomaterials
- Synthesis of Advanced Single-Atom Catalysts for sustainable applications
- Sustainable organic, catalytic and energy applications via single site catalysis