Project: Enhanced piezoelectric nano-photocatalysis for concurrent CEC degradation and electricity harvesting in a fuel cell system (WP1)
Host institution: KU Leuven
Supervisor(s): Raf Dewil, Najmeh Askari (PhD promoters)
Objectives: To engineer a piezoelectric nano-photocatalytic system that significantly boosts CEC degradation and electricity generation efficiency under visible-light irradiation.
DC2 will focus on the development of a piezoelectric nano-photocatalytic system, innovating the synthesis and immobilization of piezo-nano-photocatalysts on photoelectrodes. The project’s aim is to achieve simultaneous degradation of CECs and electricity production within a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) under visible light. By introducing relative motion between the photoelectrodes and the pollutant solution, DC2 will explore the enhancement of the piezoelectric effect on the system’s performance. Comprehensive characterization, including surface and cross-section FESEM analyses, will be conducted on the coated electrodes. Optimizing the process parameters—light intensity, CEC concentration, pH, and illumination time—DC2 will maximize CEC removal efficiency alongside power and current density metrics. Further investigations will include the influence of air injection and the dynamics of open versus closed electrical circuits on the system’s efficiency.
Expected results: Novel piezo-nanophotocatalyst for enhanced performance in the PFC. Insights into piezoelectric effect optimization.
Planned secondments:
- REM (Sup.: A. Arimi): M18-20; 3 months: Practical implementation of photocatalytic systems in industry;
- KAR (Sup.: T. Aminabhavi): M28-31; 3 months: Application of piezoelectric materials in solar pilot-scale reactor.
Enrolment in Doctoral degree: KUL Arenberg Doctoral School of Science, Engineering and Technology (BE)
