The Laboratory of Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials was established in 2014 as a result of a joint initiative by Prof. D.W. Bahnemann (Leibniz University Hannover, Germany) and Prof. A.V. Emeline (Saint Petersburg State University, Russia). The creation of the laboratory was funded by a grant from the Government of the Russian Federation for the state support of scientific research conducted under the supervision of leading scientists at Russian educational institutions of higher professional education, scientific institutions of state academies of sciences, and state scientific centers of the Russian Federation (Decree No. 220 of the Government of the Russian Federation, April 9, 2010).
The laboratory is located at the V.A. Fock Institute of Physics of Saint Petersburg State University and conducts research in the synthesis, structure, properties, and applications of photoactive nanomaterials. The laboratory consists of four scientific divisions. The laboratory's efficiency results from the synergy of its staff's professionalism, modern experimental equipment, and high-quality materials, as reflected in numerous research grants, patents, and scientific publications. A vital part of the laboratory's work is cooperation with partners in Russia and abroad, as well as the organization of and participation in scientific conferences and seminars.
Project Goal: Establishment of a major international research center for photoactive nanocomposite materials (PNM)
Organizational and infrastructural transformations:
The "Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials" research laboratory has been established as a structural unit of St. Petersburg State University. A scientific and technological center is planned for creation in 2019–2023. The format of the center will be finalized during the creation process depending on current requirements.
The laboratory is located at the V.A. Fock Institute of Physics of Saint Petersburg State University and conducts research in the synthesis, structure, properties, and applications of photoactive nanomaterials. The laboratory consists of four scientific divisions. The laboratory's efficiency results from the synergy of its staff's professionalism, modern experimental equipment, and high-quality materials, as reflected in numerous research grants, patents, and scientific publications. A vital part of the laboratory's work is cooperation with partners in Russia and abroad, as well as the organization of and participation in scientific conferences and seminars.
Goals and Objectives
Research Areas: Creation of next-generation photoactive materials and research of photoprocesses involving themProject Goal: Establishment of a major international research center for photoactive nanocomposite materials (PNM)
Scientific Results
- Methods have been developed for the synthesis of homogeneous and heterostructural photoactive materials of various functionalities: photocatalysts for converting solar energy into "solar fuel" (hydrogen, methanol), self-cleaning and bactericidal coatings, and materials for optoelectronics and photonics.
- New low-dimensional perovskite materials have been created.
- The mechanism of dopant influence on the photocatalytic activity of materials and the optimal dopant concentration for maximum photoactivity have been established.
- Metal-organic framework structures exhibiting the up-conversion effect have been created.
- The effect of changes in the hydrophilic state of the surface of homogeneous and heterostructural nanocoatings under excitation in various spectral regions has been identified.
- A Z-scheme of photoexcitation in heterostructural materials for solar energy conversion has been implemented.
- The effect of frequency shift in the vibrations of the hydrate layer during photoexcitation of the adsorbent has been established.
- The mechanism of up-conversion luminescence in various matrices has been investigated. The possibility of controlled changes in up-conversion emission spectra has been demonstrated.
- Expansion of the spectral range of the photoresponse in a photoelectrochemical system has been shown through the use of heterostructures with noble metals exhibiting the localized surface plasmon resonance effect.
- New promising perovskite-like structures for photonics, photovoltaics, and optoelectronics elements have been proposed based on the results of quantum chemical modeling.
- The potential for using exciton luminescence of perovskite materials in photonic informatics systems has been demonstrated using the low-temperature luminescence method.
- Mechanisms of photoprocesses in heterogeneous systems involving simple molecules, photostimulated defect formation, and photoannealing of intrinsic defects in doped photoactive materials, as well as excitation transfer in heterostructural materials, including their spectral, thermodynamic, and kinetic characteristics, have been established.
Implementation of research results
- A production technology for a composition to form an antibacterial coating has been developed.
- Based on the results of the 2017 St. Petersburg State University startup competition, the Small Innovative Enterprise "Functional Materials and Coatings of SPbU" was established for the implementation and commercialization of functional (bactericidal) coatings.
Organizational and infrastructural transformations:
The "Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials" research laboratory has been established as a structural unit of St. Petersburg State University. A scientific and technological center is planned for creation in 2019–2023. The format of the center will be finalized during the creation process depending on current requirements.
Education and personnel retraining
- International school-seminars "Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials" are held annually with the participation of students, postgraduates, and young scientists from Russia, the European Union, and Japan. Lectures are delivered by leading global scientists in the field of solar energy conversion.
- 16 individuals from third-party organizations completed internships at the Laboratory.
- Defenses: 5 PhD theses, 12 Master's theses, and 8 Bachelor's graduation projects.
- Four educational courses have been developed and included in the SPbU curriculum: "Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials" (2015) for Master's students, "Photophysics of Molecules in Condensed Systems" (2016) for Master's students, "Molecular Processes on Solid Surfaces" (2016) for Master's students, and "Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials. Additional Chapters" (2016) for PhD students.
- Two international conferences were organized and held with the support of SPbU and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research:
- 5th International Conference on Semiconductor Photochemistry (SP5), Saint Petersburg (Russia), July 27–31, 2015.
- 21st International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-21), Saint Petersburg (Russia), July 25–29, 2016.
Cooperation
- Thin-Film Technologies in Energetics R&D Center LLC (Russia): research, scientific events, agreement on conducting research to create tandem solar cells
- ITMO University (Russia): conducting research on the creation of perovskite materials for nanophotonics and optoelectronics systems
- Toin University of Yokohama (Japan): conducting research under a joint Russian-Japanese RFBR grant, publications
- University of Pavia (Italy): research and publications
- Leibniz University Hannover (Germany): creation and study of photoactive materials, holding an annual seminar school, academic student exchange, and publications
- California Institute of Technology (USA): scientific events, student exchanges, development of a joint Master's program
- Queen's University Belfast (UK), Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea): preparation for student exchanges, development of a joint Master's program, events and research
Website: https://pnm.spbu.ru/en/
Contact person: Detlef Bahnemann, Head of Laboratory
Address: Stary Peterhof, 1 Ulyanovskaya St., Block I
Email: detlef.bahnemann@spbu.ru
Contact person: Detlef Bahnemann, Head of Laboratory
Address: Stary Peterhof, 1 Ulyanovskaya St., Block I
Email: detlef.bahnemann@spbu.ru
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