BCMaterials paper on the cover page of Global Challenges


An investigation from BCMaterials, together with colleagues from the University of Minho, Portugal and the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, has been highlighted as journal cover in the journal Global Challenges, as a new approach in water decontamination. The contribution “Reusable Photocatalytic Optical Fibers for Underground, Deep-Sea, and Turbid Water Remediation” (DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201700124) shows the immobilization of photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in a polymer (PVDF) onto the surface of polymeric optical fibers, which can be applied in environmental decontamination. As light is transmitted through the fibers until the end tip, remote environments deployed of light access, as it is the case of soil and deep water, can be reached and decontaminated. This work combines the practicability of the optical fibers to transport radiation, the chemical resilience of the PVDF coating, and the catalytic properties of TiO2 into a single material.
" In article number 1700124, Pedro M. Martins, Senentxu Lanceros‐Méndez, and co‐workers show for the first time the immobilization of photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in a polymer (PVDF) onto the surface of polymeric optical fibers, which can be applied in environmental decontamination. The optical fibers not only act as a material of light transportation but also an immobilization matrix for the PVDF/TiO2 composite, thus radiation and the photocatalytic effect are provided by the same material. The immobilization of TiO2 in the polymer improves the stability of the coating and consequently its reusability, which is important for practical applications. As light is transmitted through the fibers until the end tip, remote environments deployed of light access, as it is the case of soil and deep water, can be reached and decontaminated. This work combines the practicability of the optical fibers to transport radiation, the chemical resilience of the PVDF coating, and the catalytic properties of TiO2 into a single material."
Related news
Qi Zhang Appointed Visiting Professor at NUAA (China)
Our Ikerbasque Research Professor, Qi Zhang, was appointed visiting professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) this April. Zhang, who has an extensive research career in…ECLectic Doctoral Network Meets at BCMaterials
BCMaterials hosted the second meeting of the Marie Curie ECLectic doctoral network from April 1 to 4. Our center is part of the consortium of 10 European universities, research centers, and companies…BCMaterials Host of the BIOntier Project General Assembly
On April 1 and 2, BCMaterials headquarters hosted the second general assembly of the Horizon Europe BIOntier project, "BreakIng FrOntiers in Sustainable and Circular Biocomposites with High…Fuelium Wins BEST 2025 Award for Most Circular Basque Startup
Fuelium, a startup co-founded and scientifically advised by our Ikerbasque Research Associate Professor Juan Pablo Esquivel, has been honored as the Most Circular Basque Startup at the Basque…