Clean Water
Water Detoxification Using Innovative vi-Nanocatalysts

Grant Agreement No	227017
EC Grant	1,705,584 €
Project duration	01/06/2009 - 31/05/2012
Web	www.photocleanwater.eu
Coordinator and contact	NCSRD - Polycarpos Falaras

Innovative nanostructured photocatalysts and corresponding continuous flow photocatalytic-disinfection-membrane reactors for sustainable and cost effective water treatment and detoxification can be developed by using doped TiO₂ nanomaterials with visible light response.

The new technology exploits solar energy, recent advances in nano-engineered titania photocatalysts and nanofiltration membranes for the destruction of extremely hazardous compounds in water. To this aim, the UV-vis responding titania nanostructured photocatalysts can be stabilized on nanotubular membranes of controlled pore size and retention efficiency as well as on carbon nanotubes to achieve photocatalytically active nanofiltration membranes.

Specific target pollutants including cyanobacterial toxin MC-LR and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) in water supplies as well as classical water pollutants such us phenols, pesticides and azo-dyes can be efficiently decomposed. The scale up of the photocatalytic technology and its application in tanks and tap water for public use and consumption is ongoing.

• Preparation of innovative nanostructured UV-Vis light-activated photocatalysts
• Development of composite carbon nanotubes / titania nanostructures
• Development of photocatalyticaly active nanofiltration membranes with tailored pore size and retention efficiency for target water pollutants
• Evaluation of materials activity for the photodegradation of water target pollutants
• Development of a laboratory-scale continuous flow photocatalytic-disinfection-membrane reactors
• Up-scaling of Materials and Processes (Large scale evaluation, Process engineering)
• Evaluation of the efficiency of the novel photocatalytic methods at the reduction-elimination of toxicity

• National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos - EL
• OSMO SISTEMI S.R.L. - IT
• Innovative Research and Technology ltd - UK
• Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - ES
• Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto - PT
• Ecole de Mines de Nantes - FR
• University of Cincinnati - US