The scientific objectives of the project are:

O1. Synthesis of hybrid composite materials by immobilizing CeO₂ NPs (commercial, synthesized in our laboratory or organically modified) within native cellulose (avicel, fibers, cotton linters, cellulose acetate), oxidized cellulose or polymer blends of native/oxidized cellulose with PVA.

O2. Assessment of the hybrid material with the best catalytic performance – correlations between the photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation in degradation of organic pollutants (decomposition degree, kinetic studies) and reusability tests (integrity of the material, evaluation of CeO₂ NPs leakage).

O3. Development of hybrid composites with shifted activity to visible light domain starting from the previously designed photocatalysts with the best properties in which plasmonic metal nanostructures (Au, Ag, Pd) will be generated.