Functionalization of layered silicates to novel surface-active nanomaterials.

Natural or synthetic layered silicates are used in the development of novel nanomaterials to improve their properties and make them more suitable for specific applications. Mostly we focus on the group of expandable layered silicates - smectites, which are very susceptible to modification by a variety of organic compounds. Various modified forms of smectites and related materials can be used for the production of organic-inorganic composites, such as nanocomposites with polymers, hybrid materials with organic dyes, or materials with adsorption properties useful in the field of environmental protection, etc. Organic moieties introduced into the layered structure can change the surface properties of the original material and influence the interactions within the systems.
We are able to develop composite nanomaterials with photoactive properties based on the complexes with organic luminophores, focusing on phenomena such as surface-fixation induced emission, control of dye aggregation, resonance energy transfer, and photosensitization of reactive oxygen species as well as the associated antibacterial properties and applications in advanced oxidation processes.
By suitably modifying the surface of silicates, we can develop selective adsorbents not only for cationic but also for neutral and anionic substances. We can also modulate these properties by changing the manufacturing conditions.

Fields of expertise

- acquisition and characterization of prepared materials using various methods,

- surface activation of layered materials, development of the new approaches of surface activation and use in adsorption processes,

- detailed physico-chemical analysis of the materials properties,

- interpretations of the phenomena in the studied systems using spectroscopic methods (fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption Uv-Vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy).