FKKT

Ohranitev vodnih virov v Evropi predstavlja enega od temeljev varstva okolja. Med številnimi obstojnimi onesnaževali, ki predstavljajo veliko tveganje za evropsko vodno okolje, predstavlja prisotnost per- in polifluoroalkilnih snovi (PFAS, Slika 1), sintetičnih organskih molekul, ki se uporabljajo za proizvodnjo različnih potrošniških in industrijskih izdelkov, eno od najpomembnejših prednostnih nalog na področju kakovosti in čiščenja vode. PFAS predstavljajo poseben izziv za čistilne naprave, ki temeljijo na primarnem (mehanskem) in sekundarnem (biološkem) čiščenju. To pa za tako trdožive molekule (angl. jih poimenujemo tudi »forever chemicals«) ni dovolj, zato je nadgradnja čistilnih naprav z naprednimi oksidacijskimi metodami ključna. Fotokatalitska razgradnja z mehanizmom redukcije z uporabo sončne svetlobe predstavlja obetavno metodo za odstranjevanje PFAS.

Slika 1. Shema glavnih aktivnosti projekta.

Projekt je razdeljen na tri glavne dele, ki ustrezajo zgoraj navedenim raziskovalnim ciljem (O). Metodologija, pristop in delo so podrobneje opisani v nadaljevanju, medtem ko so opisi dejavnosti skupaj s časovnim razporedom, mejniki (M), rezultati (D) in odgovornimi osebami (RP) podani v nadaljevanju pod ustreznimi delovnimi paketi (DP):

1. Načrtovanje in sinteza NSSM (DP1)
2. Karakterizacija, vrednotenje in prilagajanje NSSM (DP2)
3. Razgradnja PFAS z uporabo NSSM pod sončnim obsevanjem (DP3)

Poleg raziskovalnih ciljev je cilj 4 (O4) čim večji učinek in vpliv projekta (DP4). Slika 2 prikazuje časovnico projekta, skupaj z glavnimi delovnimi paketi.

Glavni cilj projekta z naslovom "Fotokatalitska razgradnja perfluoriranih snovi v vodi s sončno svetlobo" (akronim SoAPperF) je razvoj fotokatalitskih materialov za reduktivno razgradnjo PFAS z izkoriščanjem in izboljšanjem lastnosti namenskih polprevodniških nanomaterialov (ang. nano-sized semiconducting materials, NSSM), kot so manjša rekombinacija nosilcev naboja in učinkovita aktivacija pri sončnem obsevanju. NSSM bodo zasnovani z nanašanjem žlahtne kovine (Ag) na materiale, aktivne pri sončnem obsevanju (BiVO₄, g-C₃N₄, N-TiO₂, Fe-TiO₂, TiO₂-WO₃), ki bodo sklopljeni s kokatalizatorji na osnovi ogljika (reduciran grafen oksid, ogljikove kvantne točke). Materiali pa bodo okarakterizirani z naprednimi metodami, medtem ko bodo optoelektronske lastnosti napovedane z računalniškimi kvantno-kemijskimi izračuni, ki bodo omogočali prilagajanje lastnosti NSSM. Reduktivna razgradnja PFAS pod sončno svetlobo bo potekala v šaržnih in pretočnih reaktorjih z imobiliziranimi NSSM-ji. Določeni bodo mehanizmi fotokatalitske razgradnje in njihova povezava s spremembami parametrov kakovosti vode.

Rezultati projekta so bili objavljeni v znanstvenih publikacijah ter predstavljeni na mednarodnih znanstvenih konferencah:

Najpomembnejše objave projektne skupine:

• PANDEY, Suresh Kumar, ROMAC, Sandra, KUJAVIC, Martina, PAPAC ZJAČIĆ, Josipa, KOVAČIĆ, Marin, KRALJIĆ ROKOVIĆ, Marijana, DANANIĆ, Vladimir, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, ŽENER, Boštjan, GENORIO, Boštjan, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša, LONČARIĆ BOŽIĆ, Ana. Band-engineered Fe-SrTiO3 for visible light photocatalytic breakdown of emerging contaminants; mechanistic and toxicity insights. Separation and purification technology. 5 Jul. 2026, vol. 394, pt. 2, [article no.] 137443, str. 1-16, ilustr. ISSN 1383-5866. DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2026.137443. [COBISS.SI-ID 270980867]
   
• ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, POVIRK, Nejc, MAVER, Ksenija, MAVRIČ, Andraž, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, SURCA, Angelja Kjara. Transparent vanadium doped titania-silica films : structural characterization and self-cleaning properties. Journal of environmental chemical engineering. [Online ed.]. Oct. 2024, vol. 12, issue 5, [article no.] 113904, str. 1-14, ilustr. ISSN 2213-3437, DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.113904. [COBISS.SI-ID 206731267]
   
• POPOVIĆ, Marin, PANDEY, Suresh Kumar, PAPAC ZJAČIĆ, Josipa, DANANIĆ, Vladimir, KRALJIĆ ROKOVIĆ, Marijana, KOVAČIĆ, Marin, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, LONČARIĆ BOŽIĆ, Ana. Elucidating semiconducting properties and photocatalytic performance of surface-decorated BiVO4 for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern. Molecules. Jun. 2025, vol. 30, iss. 11, [article no.] 2454, str. 1-18, ilustr. ISSN 1420-3049, DOI: 10.3390/molecules30112454. [COBISS.SI-ID 247020035]
   
• SHI, Pengcheng, SINGH, Seema, RANI, Mahima, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, KUMAR, Praveen. Bimetallic CoMn2O4 spinel as an effective catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation toward perfluorooctanoic acid degradation. Chemical Engineering Science. [Print ed.]. 1 Feb. 2026, vol. 321, pt. a, [article no.] 122792, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 0009-2509, DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2025.122792. [COBISS.SI-ID 254473219]
   
• PANDEY, Suresh Kumar, ROMAC, Sandra, PAPAC ZJAČIĆ, Josipa, KRALJIĆ ROKOVIĆ, Marijana, KOVAČIĆ, Marin, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, ŽENER, Boštjan, GENORIO, Boštjan, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, LONČARIĆ BOŽIĆ, Ana. SnS2-TiO2 heterojunction designed for reductive degradation of contaminants of emerging concern. Nanomaterials. [Online ed.]. Jul. 2025, vol. 15, iss. 13, [article no.] 969, str. 1-17, ilustr. ISSN 2079-4991, DOI: 10.3390/nano15130969. [COBISS.SI-ID 240836611]
   
• POPOVIĆ, Marin, SHARIFI, Tayebeh, KRALJIĆ ROKOVIĆ, Marijana, GENORIO, Boštjan, ŽENER, Boštjan, PETERNEL, Igor, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, LONČARIĆ BOŽIĆ, Ana, KOVAČIĆ, Marin. Enhancing the photocatalytic performance of BiVO4 for micropollutant degradation by Fe and Ag photomodification. Processes. [Online ed.]. Sep. 2023, vol. 11, iss. 9, [article no.] 2803, str. 1-16, ilustr. ISSN 2227-9717, DOI: 10.3390/pr11092803. [COBISS.SI-ID 165353475]
   
• JAMIL, Qasim, ŽENER, Boštjan, PUTAR, Ula, MATOH, Lev. Continuous flow photocatalytic reactor for degradation of selected pollutants : modeling, kinetics, mineralization rate, and toxicity assessment. Heliyon. 15 Nov. 2024, vol. 10, iss. 21, [article no.] e40019, str. 1-14, ilustr. ISSN 2405-8440, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40019. [COBISS.SI-ID 214006531]
   
• JAMIL, Qasim, RANA, Khush Bakhat, MATOH, Lev. A CFD study on optimization of mass transfer and light distribution in a photocatalytic reactor with immobilized photocatalyst on spheres. Water. 27 Jun. 2024, vol. 16, iss. 13, article no. 1828, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 2073-4441. DOI: 10.3390/w16131828. [COBISS.SI-ID 199998211]
   
• DAS, Susmita, MOON, Snehal, KAUR, Ramanpreet, SHARMA, Gaurav, KUMAR, Praveen, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Artificial neural network modeling of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants : a review of photocatalyst, optimum parameters and model topology. Catalysis reviews: science and engineering. 2025, vol. 67, iss. 3, str. 544-578, ilustr. ISSN 0161-4940, DOI: 10.1080/01614940.2024.2338131. [COBISS.SI-ID 192168707]
   

Drugi pomembni rezultati:

• ŽENER, Boštjan, JAMIL, Qasim, MATOH, Lev, ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, KRAŠEVEC, Ida, PAPAC ZJAČIĆ, Josipa, ROMAC, Sandra, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška: Photocatalytic degradation of PFOA: Defluorination, toxicity assessment and catalyst regeneration. Journal of hazardous materials advances (v recenziji)
   
• ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, ZUPANC, Mojca, GOSTIŠA, Jurij, HROVAT, Pia, HEATH, Ester, NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška: Enhanced removal of bisphenols using immobilized TiO2 in photocatalytically assisted hydrodynamic cavitation. Ultrasonics sonochemistry (sprejet)
   
• PEROVIĆ, Klara, KOVAČIĆ, Marin, KRALJIĆ ROKOVIĆ, Marijana, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, GENORIO, Boštjan, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša, LONČARIĆ BOŽIĆ, Ana. Enhancement of TiO2-based composite with low carbon-based component ratio for improved hydrogen generation via photocatalytic water splitting. ChemNanoMat. 2024, 10, e202400121. [COBISS.SI-ID 202162435]
   
• ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, NADAGOUDA, Mallikarjuna, ŽERJAV, Gregor, PINTAR, Albin, DIONYSIOU, Dionysios D., NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša. Efficiency of microwave-assisted surface grafting of Ni and Zn clusters on TiO2 as cocatalysts for solar light degradation of cyanotoxins. Catalysts. 2025, 15, 590. [COBISS.SI-ID 241026563]
   
• SINGH, Seema, SHARMA, Pinki, PANDEY, Agrima, GARG, Manoj Chandra, LO, Shang-Lien, KUMAR, Praveen. Challenges and contribution of electrochemical driven by-products in tannery wastewater treatment : optimization, detection and distribution of reactive oxidation species. Journal of environmental management. 2025, 376, 124381. [COBISS.SI-ID 232135683]
   
• WANG, Shufen, ZHANG, Xiangxing, WANG, Lele, WANG, Cong, LIU, Yun, RAJAMOHAN, N., LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška, LI, Zhijun, WENG, Bo. Singleatom catalysts for photo-related advanced oxidation processes towards environmental remediation. Advanced functional materials. 2026, e26761. [COBISS.SI-ID 271199747]
   

Izbrana predavanja na konferencah:

• JAMIL, Qasim, MATOH, Lev, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Continuous flow photocatalytic reactor for wastewater treatment : degree of mineralization and toxicity assessment : [oral contribution]. V: KRÝSA, Josef (ur.). Photocatalytic and Superhydrophilic Surfaces : PSS2023 : proceedings of the 5th workshop : 4th-6th December, 2023, Prague, Czech Republic. 1st ed. Prague: University of Chemistry and Technology, 2023. 31. [COBISS.SI-ID 177035523]
   
• ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, RAVBAR, Miha, NOVAK TUŠAR, Nataša, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Nickel grafted ZnO as an efficient solar light active photocatalyst. V: Conference program and book of abstract : [8th International Conference on Semiconductor Photochemistry] : SP8, Strasbourg, Francija. 2023. 23. [COBISS.SI-ID 167067395]
   
• MATOH, Lev, JAMIL, Qasim, ŽENER, Boštjan, KRAŠEVEC, Ida, ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, PAPAC ZJAČIĆ, Josipa, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Photocatalytic degradation of PFOA : the role of adsorption, repeatability, and toxicity outcomes : [oral communication]. V: 9th International Conference on Semiconductor Photochemistry : SP9 : Madrid, Spain, September 8-12 2025 : book of abstracts. [S. l.: s. n.], 2025. Str. [74]. [COBISS.SI-ID 271531523]
   
• ŽENER, Boštjan, JAMIL, Qasim, MATOH, Lev, KRAŠEVEC, Ida, ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, KUMAR, Praveen, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Photocatalytic degradation of PFOA : addressing adsorption to improve efficiency assessment : (oral). V: EAAOP 7 : The 7th International Conference on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes : programme booklet : 10th-13th June, 2025, Paestum (SA), Italy. [S. l.: s. n.], 2025. Str. 529-530. [COBISS.SI-ID 241700867]
   
• KRAŠEVEC, Ida, ŽENER, Boštjan, JAMIL, Qasim, MATOH, Lev, ŠULIGOJ, Andraž, KUMAR, Praveen, KUŠIĆ, Hrvoje, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Analytical methods for the evaluation of photocatalytic degradation of PFAS : [oral presentation]. V: Euroanalysis : XXII European Conference on Analytical Chemistry : Barcelona, 31 August - 4 September 2025 : abstract book. [S. l.: s. n.], 2025. Str. 83. https://www.euroanalysis2025.com/images/site/abstracts/ABSTRACT_EUROANALYSIS_2025.V8.pdf. [COBISS.SI-ID 248794371]
   
• KUMAR, Praveen, VERMA, Shilpi, LAVRENČIČ ŠTANGAR, Urška. Bismuth-doped Mo-Zn photocatalyst for the efficient degradation of emerging pollutants by supporting peroxymonosulfate oxidation : [oral presentation]. V: PTIM '23 : 5th International Caparica Conference on Pollutant Toxic Ions and Molecules 2023 : book of abstracts : 6th - 9th November 2023, Caparica, Portugal. Caparica: BIOSCOPE Research Group: PROTEOMASS Scientific Society, 2023. Str. 123. ISBN 978-989-35197-0-7. http://books.bioscopegroup.org/books/tsao/. [COBISS.SI-ID 172851971]