Hierarchically Structured Porous Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Environmental Remediation

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy

Abstract

Environmental remediation is a pressing issue due to the deterioration of water and air quality as a result of pollution. Porous metal oxide nanoparticles offer significant potential to tackle this challenge, for example through photocatalysis, adsorption or filtration. However, the development of reproducible and scalable synthetic methods to nanoparticles containing a tailored internal pore structure and reactivity remains a key challenge. This project aims to develop a novel synthetic route to porous metal oxide nanomaterials using a recyclable photoresponsive soft template, which will enable the controlled design of the internal pore structural hierarchy and lead to enhanced photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in water.

Related EPSRC Research Areas: Biophysics and Soft Matter Physics, Light Matter Interaction and Optical Phenomena, Catalysis

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509620/1 01/10/2016 30/09/2022
2027134 Studentship EP/N509620/1 01/04/2018 31/03/2021 Elaine Kelly
 
Description As a result of this work, the understanding and application of azobenzene photosurfactants has been expanded, particularly in relation to their key behaviours such as light-dependent self-assembly, flow behaviour and liquid crystal formation. Three publications have arisen to date from the research findings in these areas. On the basis of this understanding of the key behaviours, it has been found that these surfactants can also be used to template metal oxide nanoparticles. It was found that these surfactants could be used to create porous titania nanoparticles, which could photocatalytically degrade a model organic compound. It was found that the photocatalytic performance of the titania particles depends on the light-irradiation conditions and isomeric form of the photosurfactant used as a template. It was also found that the synthetic approach used was key to controlling the photocatalytic performance of the final particles. This is the first time photocatalytic titania nanoparticles have been created with azobenzene surfactant materials. These photocatalytic titania nanoparticles have applications in environmental remediation for the degradation of organic contaminants, as well as potential use in dye-sensitised solar cell, due to their size and shape. The procedure developed here could also be expanded to other metal oxides, for heavy metal ion sequestration. Unforeseen positive results also include the creation of a photorheological fluid using azobenzene photosurfactants - these are liquids which can change their viscosity dramatically in response to changing light irradiation. This is a result that has promising applications in the areas of light-controlled friction, lubrication and heating/cooling applications.
Exploitation Route The outcomes of this funding can be taken forward in terms of further research projects, with a strong focus on applications. A clear avenue of research generated by this work which is already underway by others is an investigation into the formation of dispersed liquid crystal droplets and their capability to be used as solar-thermal fuels. The integration of the photorheological fluids with heating/cooling or light-controlled friction applications is also a viable future research avenue. The research findings with respect to templating porous titanium dioxide nanoparticles could be expanded to include a wider variety of metal oxides, with proof-of-principle results on model dye degradation obtained here also broadened to include heavy metal ion adsorption.
Sectors Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology