Student research opportunities

Novel nanoparticle photocatalysts synthesised by mechanochemical processing

Project Code: CECS_1130

This project is available at the following levels:
Masters, PhD
Please note that this project is only for higher degree (postgraduate) applicants.

Keywords:

Nanotechnology, renewable energy, chemical engineering

Supervisor:

Assoc Professor Takuya Tsuzuki

Outline:

Semiconductor nanoparticles are excellent photocatalytic materials that can be used for a variety of environmental and energy applications. For example, photo-generated electrons and holes can generate free radicals in water that can in turn decompose organic pollutants and pathogens. Photo-excited electrons and holes can also be utilised in artificial photosynthesis.
In recent years, mechanochemical processing has been demonstrated as a versatile technique for the synthesis of a variety of nanoparticles. Our group played a key role in the development of this technique as a leading research team on mechanochemistry in the world. This project will investigate the synthesis of new advanced photocatalysts for sustainability-related applications.

Background Literature

P.G. McCormick, T. Tsuzuki, J.S. Robinson, J. Ding, Advanced Materials 2001, 13, 1008-1010.

D. Beydoun, R. Amal;_, G. Low, S. McEvoy, Journal of Nanoparticle Research 1999, 1, 439-458.

Y Tachibana, L. Vayssieres, J. R. Durrant, 2012, Nature Photonics, 6, DOI: 10.1038/NPHOTON.2012.175

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