Abstract
L'obiettivo del progetto ENLIGHTENING è la progettazione e lo sviluppo di una nuova classe di materiali organici per la fotodegradazione di sostanze chimiche pericolose in ambiente acquoso. La funzionalizzazione di un materiale polimerico di supporto con opportuni cromofori consente processi di ossidazione o riduzione su substrati inquinanti – come erbicidi, pesticidi e contaminanti organici emergenti – sfruttando la fotoreattività dei coloranti. The ENLIGHTENING project focused on the development of innovative photoactive and photocatalytic materials for the removal of emerging pollutants from water. The project combined expertise in organic photochemistry, materials science, and environmental chemistry through the collaboration of the Universities of Bologna, Parma, and Turin. The main objective was the design of visible-light-responsive hybrid materials based on organic chromophores and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) capable of coupling adsorption and photocatalytic degradation processes. Particular attention was devoted to the development of scalable synthetic routes for advanced chromophores, the preparation and functionalization of robust MOF supports, and the validation of the resulting materials for the removal of glyphosate and related contaminants from aqueous media. The project ultimately aimed to provide sustainable, reusable, and efficient materials for advanced water remediation technologies.
Results achieved
The project achieved its scientific objectives through the coordinated activities of the three research units. The research unit in Bologna developed a versatile family of dicyanobenzene-based chromophores with visible-light absorption, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), and photoredox properties suitable for pollutant degradation. Scalable synthetic methodologies were established, enabling the introduction of anchoring and polymerizable functionalities for integration into heterogeneous supports. Comprehensive photophysical, electrochemical, and structural characterization clarified structure–property relationships and demonstrated the robustness of the developed photoactive systems. Additional studies on a class polysulfurated benzene derivatives revealed highly tunable room-temperature phosphorescence and vapochromic behavior, expanding the portfolio of functional photoactive materials. The research group in Parma established a robust materials platform based on metal–organic frameworks. After comparative studies on iron-based MOFs, the project identified amino-functionalized titanium analogues as the most suitable support owing to their superior aqueous stability and intrinsic photoactivity. A complete library of amino-functionalized derivatives was synthesized and characterized, establishing clear relationships between functionalization degree, porosity, and adsorption performance. The unit also prepared the first photoactive hybrid materials by incorporating Eosin-Y into the titanium-based MOF and demonstrated the feasibility of immobilizing these systems in electrospun PVDF nanofibrous membranes for practical deployment. The research unit in Turni validated the developed materials in water-remediation applications using glyphosate as a model contaminant. Analytical methodologies for contaminant quantification were established and adsorption studies demonstrated capacities approaching 100 mg/g for optimized amino-functionalized Ti-based materials. The most significant achievement was the demonstration of a synergistic adsorption–photodegradation mechanism: Eosin-functionalized amino-Ti MOFs achieved complete glyphosate removal under irradiation within 24 hours, significantly outperforming adsorption-only systems. The detection of phosphate ions confirmed actual chemical degradation rather than simple adsorption. Mechanistic studies further demonstrated the critical role of the MOF matrix in concentrating pollutants and enabling efficient photochemical transformation. Overall, ENLIGHTENING delivered new photoactive chromophores, robust MOF-based supports, and hybrid photocatalytic materials capable of efficiently removing contaminants from water. The project established scalable synthetic methodologies, clarified the mechanisms governing adsorption–photodegradation synergy, and provided a strong scientific foundation for future development of sustainable technologies for water purification and environmental remediation.Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Andrea Fermi
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician"
Coordinator:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 231.146,00
Total Unibo Contribution: Euro (EUR) 83.718,00
Project Duration in months: 24
Start Date:
30/11/2023
End Date:
28/02/2026
