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Research Activities
Dye-sensitization
of large band-gap semiconductors
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).
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Development,
performance
and optimization of dye-sensitised solar cells (prototypes).
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Nanostructured
Titania synthesis
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)].
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Mesoporous
TiO2
sol-gel synthesis of fractal nanostructured TiO2
films [P. Falaras et. al. Small,
2008. 4.
770.
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Titania
nanotubes : T.
Stergiopoulos, Nanotechnology, 2009, 20,
365601; T. Stergiopoulos et. al., 2008, 19,
235602]
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Dyes
Synthesis of
light harvesting molecular antennas for efficient sensitization of
large band-gap semiconductors.
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Synthesis of new
sensitizers Ru(II) complexes of bipy, terpy, phenanthroline and
related
ligands [G. Konti et. al., Photochem. Photobiol. Sciences, 2009,
8,
726].
Supramolecular
dyes presenting broad and intense MLCT absorption bands in the
visible [J.Faiz et. al.,Adv. Funct. Mater. 2007,17,
54], G.C.
Vougioukalakis et al.,
Coord. Chem. Rev. 111299, in press.
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Redox electrolytes
Preparation of redox nanocomposite polymer electrolytes.
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]
Quantum dots
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.
AFM and Raman
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SEM
and AFM
characterization of TiO2 nanotubes, A.G. Kontos et. al.
Nanotechnology, 2009, 20,
045603
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Raman antenna
effect observed in TiO2 Nanotubes. V. Likodimos et. al., J. Phys.
Chem. C 2008, 112,
12687
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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.
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Spectroscopic
evidence of prolonged light and thermal stress effects on DSSCs
V. Likodimos et. al. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009, 113,
9412.
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Impedance,
IMPS and IMVS
State
of the art modulated electrochemical spectroscopy techniques
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Intensity
modulated photovoltage spectroscopy
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Intensity
modulated photocurrent spectroscopy
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Electrochemical
Impedance
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Photocatalysis
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.
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Photocatalytic
and superhydrophilic effects on TiO2
films with self cleaning properties
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Photocatalytic
decomposition of cyanotoxin MC-LR under both UV and visible light
V.
Likodimos, et al., Rev.
Environ. Sci. Bio/Tech: 9 (2010) 87-94
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Non-metal and metal doping
of nanostructured titania
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Nitrogen
doping of TiO2
nanoparticles
with
extensive visible light absorbance [A.I.Kontos et. al. Phys. Stat.
Sol. RRL 2008, 2,
83].
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Surface
Functionalization of Anodized TiO2
Nanotubes by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles [A.I.Kontos et al. Chem.
Mater. 2009, 21,
662].
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Photocatalytic
reactors
Design
and fabrication
of novel liquid and phase photocatalytic reactors
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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.
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Anticancer
effects
Photocatalytic
killing of cancer cells (Sarcoma
cells, epithelial breast cells)
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Effects
of UV-irradiated titania nanoparticles on cell proliferation,
cancer metastasis
and promotion. Catal. Tod. 2010, 151,58 ; J. Photochem.
Photobiol. A, 2010
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Self
cleaning effects.
Photoinduced hydrophilicity under visible light
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Nanostructured
N-F co-doped titania films
present reversible visible light induced hydrophilicity to a
final contact angle of 8o.
Photochem. & Photobiol. Scien. 2010.
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EU Projects
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“Ti-nanotubes”
-
Preparation, Characterization and Application of Self-Organized
Titanium Oxide
Nanotubes
NMP4-CT-2006-033313
2006-200
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 | “Clean Water” -
Water Purification Using Innovative vi-nanocatalysts
FP7-ENV-NMP-2008-2
STREP
Coordination
of the project
2009-2012
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“SANS”-
Sensitizer Activated Nanostructured Solar Cells
FP7-NMP-2009-SMAll-3
2010-2013
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