| KEYWORD |
AA - CO2 reduction for a low-carbon economy
Sviluppo di un sistema ibrido fotocatalitico / enzimatico per la fotodegradazione di residui chimici e farmaceutici
Reference persons SIMELYS PRIS HERNANDEZ RIBULLEN
External reference persons Ottone Carminna, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaķso, Cile
Research Groups AA - CO2 reduction for a low-carbon economy, AA - Photocatalysis fo Enviroment and Energy
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL THESIS
Description In recent years, the increase of micro-pollutants in drinking water is a major problem worldwide. Substances from the pharmaceutical and / or chemical industry, such as hormones and pesticides, have a negative influence on the physiological systems of different organisms, even in small concentrations. The combined use of photochemical catalysts with enzymatic systems offers a very promising alternative due to the high specificity of enzymes and to the possibility to exploit solar energy as renewable energy source.
In this thesis work, the candidate will be responsible for the preparation of nanostructures of BiVO4, one of the bests visible-light active photo-catalysts, at the DISAT laboratories of Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Subsequently, the thesis includes a period abroad at the P. Univesidad Catolica de Valparaiso in Chile, where enzymes of the Laccase type will be immobilized on the surface of the BiVO4. To evaluate the goodness of the synthesis, various characterization techniques will be used, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the catalytic capacity of the BiVO4 / enzyme photocatalytic system will be evaluated in a photocatalytic reactor with different concentrations of a model molecule of pharmaceutical and / or chemical residues (eg ibuprofen), which will be identified and analysed by liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Required skills Sono gradite:
- Sperienza pratica in laboratorio chimico e/o biologico.
- Capacitą per lavoro di gruppo in una squadra multidisciplinare e multiculturale
- Pro-attivitą e forte interesse e motivazione per i temi proposti
- Capacitą analitiche, elaborazione dati e grafici in software di calcolo (es. Excel).
Notes The thesis will take place over a minimum period of 6 months which will include a period of experimental activities in Turin (DISAT, Politecnico di Torino), and a period of 1/2 months of experimental work in Chile at the P. Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso. It will be the students' responsibility to find the mobility funds, for example, through the participation to the Calls for theses abroad of the Politecnico di Torino.
Deadline 03/12/2019
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA