David HU

Expertise

• Plasmonic nanoparticles : Synthesis & characterization
• Upconversion nanoparticles : Synthesis & characterization
• Metal oxide nanoparticles  : Synthesis & characterization
• Silica coatings
• Metal oxide coatings
• Photocatalysis

Characterization techniques

UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies, DLS and Zêta potential, XRD, TEM and SEM, IR (FT-IR, DRIFT), Raman 

PhD subject

Development of Near-Infrared Mediated Photocatalytic Nanocomposites for the Treatment of Turbid Wastewaters

Summary

Turbid wastewaters are highly contaminated by organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are very toxic and carcinogen. Conventional photocatalysis, based on UV radiation, is fairly inefficient to degrade them because of the low penetration depth of the UV light in turbid wastewater highly loaded with organic molecules. On the other hand, near-infrared light penetrates much deeper into turbid media.

The aim of this work is to synthesize innovative photocatalytic nanocomposites combining upconversion particles (UCNP, particles that can transform NIR radiation into UV radiation) with a ZnO photocatalyst. This will take advantage of the high penetration depth of NIR light in turbid media to overcome the limited penetration of UV, by NIR-mediated in-situ UV generation.

We expect that this approach, based on a comprehensive study of the mechanisms at each step of the elaboration, followed by testing of the photocatalytic activity on model molecules and later on real wastewater sample, will lead to a more efficient and cost-effective system for wastewater treatment and will create significant impact in the water industry.

  
TEM image of upconversion nanoparticles

Teaching activity

• MU5CI014: “Biomimetic and Biotechnology”
• MU4CI703: “Matériaux, Surfaces et Interfaces”
• LU2CI015: “Techniques analytiques”
• LU1CI002: “Transformations chimiques en solution aqueuse”