As a result of human activity, water sources are becoming increasingly contaminated with various substances. Photo- and photoelectrocatalytic methods are gaining popularity in water purification due to their low cost, sustainability, high efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. Water can also serve as a source of hydrogen—considered the fuel of the future. In this context, photo- and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting processes are also growing in importance, as they enable the production of green hydrogen. However, for these processes to be effective, appropriate photo- and photoelectrocatalysts must be used. Unfortunately, the currently used materials have limitations in both water purification and hydrogen production. Major drawbacks include poor light absorption, high costs, limited use of solar energy, weak charge separation, and susceptibility to photocorrosion. Therefore, designing advanced photo- and photoelectrocatalysts that overcome these limitations could lead to the development of more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable processes for water purification and hydrogen generation.

– As part of the project, we aim to develop advanced hybrid materials based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), combined with carbon nanomaterials and metal oxides (e.g., TiO₂, Fe₂O₃) and transition metal sulphides (e.g., MoS₂), which can be used in photo- and photoelectrocatalytic processes for water purification and hydrogen production – says Marta Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka, PhD. – Combining g-C₃N₄ with these materials will improve the surface area, light absorption, charge separation, stability, and reusability of the catalysts.

The researchers will propose innovative synthesis approaches. These methods will be scalable, more environmentally friendly, and less complex compared to traditional techniques. Graphitic carbon nitride will be synthesized using various chemical methods, such as polymerisation developed at the Technical University of Ostrava. The modifications of g-C₃N₄ using MoS₂ and carbon nanomaterials will be carried out at the Warsaw University of Technology, and the metal oxides will be prepared at Taipei Medical University.

– The combination of g-C₃N₄ with metal oxides or sulphides and carbon nanomaterials is still a relatively unexplored topic – explains Marta Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka, PhD (ENG). – The materials we develop will be tested for their ability to remove organic and microbiological contaminants from water, as well as for photoelectrocatalytic water splitting aimed at producing green hydrogen. The planned research may contribute to more efficient and durable technologies for water purification and hydrogen production—key priorities in combating climate change.

Measurement system used in the M-ERA.NET project

M-ERA.NET is a network of organisations that fund research in materials science and materials engineering. The consortium launches calls for proposals carried out by international research teams. In the M-ERA.NET – 3/2024 call, 15 projects involving Polish researchers received funding.