Team Grant (PRG2115)

Glass and sand nanocomposites investigations toward water and soil remediation

 

Goals of the project:

The contamination of water and soil by heavy metal ions, dyes, and microorganisms is a pressing global concern. In recent decades, new technologies for water and soil remediation based on nanomaterials have been developed but either lack efficiency and cost-effectiveness or fail to meet environmental standards. This project aims to investigate the removal of heavy metal ions and organic matter from water and soil using nanocomposites that combine metal nanoparticles ‒ in particular cobalt nanopowder ‒ with sand, glass or porous glass as a support material, and to develop concepts for a closed-loop recycling of the extracted heavy metals. After filtration, the purity and potable quality of the treated water is assessed. The project also includes the degradation of organic pollutants (dyes, herbicides…) using photocatalytic degradation. The project requires fundamental research, but also seeks to prove the universal applicability and economic effectiveness of the developed technologies through pilot tests with Estonian industrial companies. This research project is funded by Sihtasutus Eesti Teadusagentuur(ETAg).

News and project updates

26/09/2025

Our PhD student, Patricio Paredes defended successfully his theses entitled ” Tailoring Cu-based nanostructures for sunlight-assisted photocatalysis applications“. The research work related to water sanitation was performed in the frame of the PRG2115 project.

24-25/09/2025

During Teadlaste öö (scientist’s night), we presented nanotechnology and nanomaterials to public. We explained how nanomaterials and nanocomposites can extract heavy metal from water and soil for remediation. Practical workshops demonstrated how nanotechnology can promote circular economy and how basic products like plants, oil waste, agriculture waste can be used to produce nanomaterials that can then be used in practical application to solve environmental problems.

05/09/2025

Dr. Priyanka Panchal gave an oral presentation “Plant Mediated Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Sustainable Approach and Future Applications” at the 9th  Annual Nanotechnology Conference – NANOMAT2025 in Zagreband the presented results have raised the interest of the scientifics in the field.

04/09/2025

Prof. Erwan Rauwel gave an invited oral presentation “Assessing Cobalt Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications and Water Remediation” at the 9th  Annual Nanotechnology Conference – NANOMAT2025 in Zagreb. The presented results have raised the interest of the scientifics in the field.

20/08/2025

Prof. Erwan Rauwel gave an invited oral presentation “Heavy Metal Ions Extraction from Water and Wastewater Using Sand Nanocomposite to Promote Circular Economy” at the 33rd International Materials Research Congress 2025. The results presented have aroused the interest of the scientifics who attended the conference.

25/04/2025

Our team presented our research project and activities at Maamess! We discussed with the public and explain the principle of circular economy through our research activities based on nanomaterials produced using green synthesis and circular way. We exposed the problem of water contamination in well water in Estonian, and how the technology we are working on can offer a solution. We showed our recent prototype filter that can be used to clean well water and will be tested soon. We talk also showed the research activities related to the development of nanoadditives for jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel that can decrease the carbon footprint of air freight that limit the exhaust of toxic gas. Thank you to Kristi , Glemarie and Erwan for their active participation to promote our research activities to a large public. We had very interesting discussions, and we could feel a real need for affordable technologies that can mitigate the present problems our society faces.

                              

31/03/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Priyanka Panchal who published her first paper in the frame of her Mobilitas+ grant project as PI. She reports on a new green synthesis to produce graphitic carbon nitride using plant parts for water purification. Here is the manuscript published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research:
“Ocimum tenuiflorum leaf-mediated graphitic carbon nitride and ZnO/GCN nanohybrid: a sustainable approach for environmental applications“

17/12/2024

Patrico Paredes who is PhD student just published a paper on the study of the photocatalytic degradation of dyes using copper-based nanoparticles. He compared the utilization of free-standing nanoparticles and a films of nanoparticles asnchored on a glass substrate that make easier their reclamation after use in Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer). Congratulations Patricio!

01/11/2024

Dr. Glemarie Hermosa started a new position as Postdoctoral researcher in our research team. She will work in the frame of the PRG2115 team grant on the heavy metal ions extraction from polluted soil and water, and Tem-TA144 project. Welcome in the team Glemarie!

01/10/2024

Dr. Emmanuel Umejuru started a new position as Postdoctoral researcher in our research team. He will work in the frame of the PRG2115 team grant on the haeavy metal ions extraction from polluted water. Welcome in the team Emmanuel!

19/09/2024

Research team members have had the opportunity to present their research outcomes related to water purification at the E-MRS 2024 conference in Warsaw. It was a great experience for the research team and a total of 3 contributions in the field of water remediation have been presented during the conference (1 oral presentation “A photo-electrochemical cell with Cu2O-modified electrodes and aqueous KMnO4 electrolyte for charge production” and 2 poster presentations “Bio-synthesized Graphitic Carbon Nitride Doped with ZnO as Nano-photocatalyst and Their Prospective Environmental Applications” and “Visible Light Photodegradation of Azo Dyes Using Free Standing and spin coated Cu-Based Nanoparticles: Application in Solar Batteries“). Dr. Priyanka Panchal, Dr. Sadaf Jethva and Mr. Patricio Paredes could present their work related to dye removal (Methylene orange, methylene blue, neutral red and malachite green) and manganese removal from contaminated water. They could discuss with expert in the field. They are now preparing their scientific paper that will be soon submitted for publication. Congratulations to all three!

 

20/04/2024

Our team presented our research project and activities at Maamess! We discussed with the public and explain the problem of water contamination and how the technology we are working on can offer a solution. Mart Hovi also showed his system to harvest rain water and re-use it for multiple purposed. Thank you to Kristi Praakle,  Mart Hovi and Erwan Rauwel for their active participation to promote our research activities to a large public. We had very interesting discussions, and we could feel a real need for an affordable technology that can enable the safe use of well water for every purposes.

29/01/2024

Kick-off meeting with the whole team! We are all enthusiast to start developing new technologies that will enable the extraction of heavy metal ions from water and soil. The project focuses on developing nanocomposite aimed to be used for water and soil remediation. With these technologies wastewater and contaminated soil can become resources through the recycling of exhausted nanocomposites (circular economy). The goal is understand the extraction mechanism and to have prototype ready for the purification of well water and an on-going pilot test at the end of the project.

Link to all former news

Senior research team:

PhD students:

 

Relevant publications:

Relevant oral presentations:

05/09/2025 “Plant Mediated Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Sustainable Approach and Future Applications” Priyanka Panchal, Protima Rauwel, Glemarie Hermosa, and Erwan Rauwel, NANOMAT2025.

04/09/2025 “Assessing Cobalt Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications and Water Remediation” Erwan Rauwel, Laura Simonelli, Carlos Marini, Rohit Kumar, Glemarie Hermosa, Kristi Praakle, Isabelle Gélard, and Protima Rauwel, NANOMAT2025.(Invited oral presentation)

20/08/2025 “Heavy Metal Ions Extraction from Water and Wastewater Using Sand Nanocomposite to Promote Circular Economy” Erwan Rauwel, Protima Rauwel, Rohit Kumar, Laura Simonelli, Carlos Marini, Glemarie Hermosa, Isabelle Gélard, 33rd International Materials Research Congress 2025. (Invited oral presentation)

Defended thesis:

“Tailoring Cu-Based Nanostructures for Sunlight-Assisted Photocatalysis Applications” defended by Patricio Paredes; supervisors: Protima Rauwel, Erwan Rauwel

Press release:

01.10.2025: Postimees “ Doktoritöö: päikesevalguse ja vase abil saab vees lagundada kuni 96% reostusaineid ”  [weblink]

26.09.2025: ERR „Vasest nanoosakesed puhastavad päikesevalguse toel tööstuslikku reovett“ Article that describes thesis outcomes of Patricio Paredes (Our PhD student) [weblink]

Former staff members: