Photo-redox Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy

Dr. Polycarpos Falaras, Research Director, Director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tel: +30 210 6503644, +30 210 6503632, Fax: +30 210 6511766, e-mail: papi"at"chem.demokritos.gr

Dr Athanassios Kontos (Researcher grade ‘C’) - akontos"at"chem.demokritos.gr

Dr. Athanassios I. Kontos (Post doc Researcher) - athkontos"at"chem.demokritos.gr

Demokritos: Dr. E. Tsilibari, Dr. G. Papavassiliou, Dr. A. Hiskia, Dr. G. Romanos, Dr. C. Vasilakos, Dr. V. Kilikoglou, Dr. N. Boukos, Dr. T. Stergiotis, Dr. K. Papadopoulos, Dr. G. Vougioukalakis, Dr. A. Provata, Dr. P. Aloupogiannis, Dr. K. Papadokostaki.

Greece: Prof. T. Albanis, Prof. P. Pomonis and Dr. M. Prodromides (Univ. Ioannina), Prof. P. Lianos and Prof. J. Kallitsis (Univ. Patras), Prof. J. Bartzis (Univ. Macedonia), Prof. I. Poulios (Univ. Thessaloniki), Prof. C.A. Mitsopoulou and Dr. A. Phillipopoulos, (Univ. Athens), Dr. Y.S. Raptis and Dr. E. Pavlatou (NTUA Athens), Dr. S. Pispas (NHRF), Dr. S. Neophytides (FORTH/ICE-HT)

International : Prof. Μ. Grätzel (EPFL Lausanne), Prof. D. Dionysiou (Univ. Cincinatti), Dr. G. Tulloch (Dyesol ltd., Australia), Dr. H. Snaith (Oxford), Prof. G. Thompson and Prof. P. Skeldon (Univ. Manchester), Prof. V. Catalano (Nevada), Prof. P. Schmuki (Univ. Erlagen), Prof. P. Potvin (Toronto), Prof. J. Bisquert (Un. Jaume I, Castello) and Prof. J. Dona Rodriguez (ULPGC-Canaria), Dr. MC Bernard (CNRS, Paris) and Dr. V. Hequet (Armines, Nantes), Dr. A. Silva (FEUP, Porto), Dr. E. Kantilaftis (Osmosistemi, Fano), IRT (London), Mr A. Katsifos (Italcementi Group)

Development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and optimization in terms of efficiency, life-time and stability, combining state of the art microscopic (AFM), spectroscopic (Raman) and electrochemical techniques (IMPS, IMVS).

Controlling the semiconductor nanostructure using sol-gel templating synthesis and electrochemical self-assembly supported by versatile deposition techniques: screen-printing, doctor-blade, spin-coating, dip-coating and anodic oxidation in corrosive media. Essential emphasis is given to the design, synthesis/preparation, characterization, theoretical analysis/modeling and evaluation of performance of multifunctional inorganic photonic compounds [metal oxide thin films (of nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanotubes)].

Synthesis of light harvesting molecular antennas for efficient sensitization of large band-gap semiconductors.

Preparation of novel composite solid-state or plasticized redox electrolytes. Use of nanocrystalline particles as fillers. [E. Chatzivasiloglou et al, Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem., 2007, 192, 49]

Co-sensitization of dye-modified TiO₂ by CdSe QDs (J.Phys. Chem. C. 2010,114, 6755)

Microscopy and Spectroscopy for nanomaterials and nanotechnology applications

Morphological and spectroscopic features of Nanostructures Materials and NanoDevices.

Investigation, tuning and optimization of photoinduced processes taking place at the semiconductor/dye/electrolyte interface.

Innovative nanostructured photocatalysts for environmental cleaning and health protection

Heterogeneous photocatalytic processes and related applications are investigated, involving functional photonic materials in the nanometer scale. The scientific effort aims at improving the efficiency of photocatalytic processes via: a) increase of the photocatalyst effective surface area; b) efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers (e^- and h⁺); c) photocatalytic sensitization into the Vis light region-shift of the absorption onset; d) judicious balance of photocatalytic and superhydrophylic properties on multi-dynamic surfaces able to photochemically decompose harmful organics, kill bacteria and viruses and being easily self-cleaned; e) increased anticancer and anticoagulant action of titanium dioxide on neoplasm and inflammatory cells. Special emphasis is paid to the combination of advanced oxidation processes, titania modified nanomaterials and nanotechnology for water treatment.

Testing of titania based slurries and immobilized photocatalysts for air purification and water purification [A.G. Kontos et. al. Chem. Phys. Lett., 2010, 490, 58; D.S. Tsoukleris et. al., Catalysis Today, 2007, 129, 96]; Appl. Catal B. Env., 2010, 95, 78.

Anticancer effects

Photocatalytic killing of cancer cells (Sarcoma cells, epithelial breast cells)

Effects of UV-irradiated titania nanoparticles on cell proliferation, cancer metastasis and promotion. Catal. Tod. 2010, 151,58 ; J. Photochem. Photobiol. A, 2010

Self cleaning effects. Photoinduced hydrophilicity under visible light

Nanostructured N-F co-doped titaniafilms present reversible visible light induced hydrophilicity to a final contact angle of 8^o. Photochem. & Photobiol. Scien. 2010.

EU Projects

“Ti-nanotubes” - Preparation, Characterization and Application of Self-Organized Titanium Oxide Nanotubes

NMP4-CT-2006-033313

2006-2009

“Clean Water” - Water Purification Using Innovative vi-nanocatalysts

FP7-ENV-NMP-2008-2 STREP

Coordination of the project

2009-2012

“SANS”- Sensitizer Activated Nanostructured Solar Cells

FP7-NMP-2009-SMAll-3

2010-2013


SEM and AFM characterization of TiO2 nanotubes, A.G. Kontos et. al. Nanotechnology, 2009, 20, 045603	Raman antenna effect observed in TiO2 Nanotubes. V. Likodimos et. al., J. Phys. Chem. C 2008, 112, 12687


In-situ Raman spectrophotoelectrochemistry, State of the art in situ and under aging Raman characterization of solar cell. A.G.Kontos et. al., 2008, 361, 761.	Spectroscopic evidence of prolonged light and thermal stress effects on DSSCs V. Likodimos et. al. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009, 113, 9412.


Nitrogen doping of TiO₂nanoparticleswith extensive visible light absorbance [A.I.Kontos et. al. Phys. Stat. Sol. RRL 2008, 2, 83].	Surface Functionalization of Anodized TiO₂ Nanotubes by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles [A.I.Kontos et al. Chem. Mater. 2009, 21, 662].