Project Details
Projekt
Solar-driven degradation of water-borne micropollutants via novel photocatalytic polymer membranes with active porphyrin surface layer (SOLEMBA)
Subject Area
Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering
Term
since 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 500108120
The main objective of the SOLEMBA project is to develop a small lab-scale platform for MP removal via photocatalytic ultrafiltration (UF) reactor, wherein the photodegradation process is initiated by singlet oxygen (1O2). In turn, 1O2 is generated inside the membrane pores using irradiation of organic photosensitizers with visible light. This platform builds on encouraging preliminary results from the applicants and will include: i) fabrication of photocatalytic UF membranes based on commercially-available onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) or polytertafluoretylene (PTFE) ultrafitration membranes and also commercially-available organic photosensitizers (PS), such as fluorinated porphyrins and phthalocyanine; ii) study of photostability of both PS and the UF membranes under simulated solar radiation; iii) photocatalytic removal of steroid hormone micropollutants (MP) with concentrations as low as several ng/L in a custom-made photocatalytic membrane (PCM) reactor; iv) systematic investigation of MP photodegradation using variable parameters (light intensity, micropollutant concentration, temperature, pH, and flow rate of the feed solution); and v) investigation of influence of real water contaminants such as natural organic matter (NOM) or humic substances (HS) that may through surface coverage or/and 1O2 quenching inhibit the process of photodegradation. The removal of MPs in the PCM exhibits significant advantages because it: •significantly improves the removal via in-situ photodecomposition of MPs; •capitalizes on the use of energy-efficient low-pressure UF membranes; •allows for the use of sunlight for the degradation of MPs; and •potentially solves the problem of retained MPs in concentrate requiring further treatment.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
Co-Investigator
Dr. Andrey Turshatov
