Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering K-94
https://wipos.p.lodz.pl/en/research/department-molecular-engineering
Head of the unit:
Prof. Jacek Tyczkowski, PhD, DSc
Potential promoters:
Prof. Jacek Tyczkowski, PhD, DSc
Hanna Kierzkowska-Pawlak, PhD, DSc, TUL Prof.
Marta Gmurek, PhD, DSc, TUL Prof.
Lucyna Bilińska , PhD, DSc,
Contact person:
Hanna Kierzkowska-Pawlak, PhD, DSc, TUL Prof., tel: 42- 631-37-74, hanna.kierzkowska-pawlak@p.lodz.pl
Scope of activities:
The interests and fields of research are as follows:
- technologies for the production of thin-film nanomaterials using the cold plasma (PECVD),
- new plasma-prepared catalytic nanomaterials for advanced chemical technologies (e.g. combustion of volatile organic compounds, CO2 hydrogenation, CO2 capture),
- molecular surface engineering
- surfaces with special physicochemical properties (e.g. adhesion, adsorption, superhydrophobicity, oleophobicity),
- new active plasma-prepared nanomaterials for electrochemistry (e.g. galvanic cells, fuel cells, water decomposition reactors),
- non-equilibrium atmospheric plasma in biomedical applications or modification of agricultural products,
- advanced oxidation processes in wastewater treatment (AOPs),
- photoprocesses in the removal of impurities: photocatalysis, photosensitization, photocatalytic ozonation
Present activities:
The main objective of the current research activities is to design at the molecular level and fabricate innovative nanomaterials with unique properties, such as catalytic, electronic, adhesive and others, using the plasma deposition technique (PECVD), for applications in the field of energy, advanced technologies based on heterogeneous catalysis and in surface engineering. Due to their thin-film form and high catalytic activity, the new generation of plasma-prepared nanocatalysts, offers significant prospects for their practical application in:
- new technologies for CO2 capture, conversion of CO2 and nitrogen oxides,
- combustion of volatile organic compounds, hydrogen production from catalytic water splitting,
- water and wastewater treatment using new catalytic systems on structured supports.
Future activities:
Development of current and generation of new, hybrid catalytic nanomaterials by the cold plasma towards the desired properties for various energy and environmental applications; deeper understanding of the structure-properties relationship.
Publications/patents, awards, projects:
- Kierzkowska-Pawlak, H., Kruszczak, E., & Tyczkowski, J. (2022). Catalytic activity of plasma-deposited Co3O4-based thin films for CO2 hydration–A new approach to carbon capture applications. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 304, 120961.
- Bilińska, L., & Gmurek, M. (2021). Novel trends in AOPs for textile wastewater treatment. Enhanced dye by-products removal by catalytic and synergistic actions. Water Resources and Industry, 26, 100160.
- Tyczkowski, J., Kierzkowska-Pawlak, H., Kapica, R., Balcerzak, J., & Sielski, J. (2019). Cold plasma − A promising tool for the production of thin-film nanocatalysts. Catalysis Today, 337, 44-54.
- Novel nanocatalytic structured packings for carbon dioxide hydrogenation, OPUS-NCN (2018-2021)
- Modern wastewater treatment with plasma-prepared catalyst for textile wastewater recycling (TEX-WATERREC), Small Grant Scheme, NCBiR, 2021-2023
- Investigation of the synergy between ozone and novel plasma-deposited catalysts in hybrid electrochemical ozonation of micropollutants, SONATA–NCN, 2021-2024
Keywords:
cold plasma, PECVD, thin films, catalysis, photocatalysis, surface engineering, CO2 capture, CO2 conversion, hydrogen production, advanced water and wastewater treatment processes (AOP's)
List of internship proposal in this research team:
- production of thin-film catalysts using the PECVD technique
- research on the catalytic activity of new materials in capture and conversion of CO2, production of hydrogen from water decomposition, advanced oxidation processes
The portfolio of research groups was created as part of the Programme "STER" – Internationalisation of doctoral schools” as part of the realization of the project “Curriculum for advanced doctoral education & taining – CADET Academy of Lodz University of Technology”.