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Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

Environmental and energy applications of photocatalysis

The use of photocatalysis for environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the production of sustainable energy carriers. Development and testing of photocatalytic materials for carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, hydrogen production, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) decomposition.

Relationship between physicochemical properties and photoactivity

Study of the relationships between the structure, physicochemical properties, and photocatalytic activity of advanced materials.

Kinetics and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions

Research on the kinetics of photocatalytic reactions and elucidation of the mechanisms of ongoing processes.

Photocatalytic reactors

Design and optimization of photocatalytic reactors for environmental and energy applications.

Advanced oxidation processes

Development of advanced oxidation processes for the removal of pollutants from waste gases and water.

Description of the research group

The Heterogeneous Photocatalysis research group focuses on the development and study of photocatalytic processes applicable to environmental protection and sustainable energy. The main areas of research are photocatalytic CO2 reduction, hydrogen production by water splitting, nitrous oxide (N2O) decomposition, and the removal of pollutants from water and air. The research also includes the study of reaction kinetics, mechanisms of ongoing processes, and the development of advanced oxidation technologies. The group has a modernly equipped laboratory enabling the testing of photocatalytic materials in the form of powders, thin films, and layers deposited on supports. Experiments are conducted in both gas and liquid phases using specialized photoreactors and advanced analytical methods. The laboratory also provides standardized testing of photocatalytic materials according to the ČSN ISO 22197 standard.

Keywords

# photocatalytic processes

# CO2 reduction

# hydrogen generation

# N2O decomposition

# advanced oxidation processes

Objectives and Focus

The long-term goal of the research group is the development of knowledge and technologies in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis, with a focus on environmental protection, the use of renewable energy sources, and reducing the impact of human activity on the climate.

In the short term, the group focuses on the development and testing of new photocatalytic materials, increasing the efficiency of CO2 reduction processes and the decomposition of undesirable substances in water and air, as well as strengthening international scientific cooperation and the transfer of results into practice.

prof. Ing. Kamila Kočí, Ph.D.

prof. Ing. Kamila Kočí, Ph.D.

Research Group Leader

E-mail: kamila.koci@vsb.cz
Phone: +420 596 997 309
Profile

Research Activities and Projects

Investigation of the mechanisms and efficiency of green hydrogen production as a by-product of CO2 photoreduction in the aqueous and gas phases

  • GA CR Project No. 26-19910L
  • Provider: Czech Science Foundation
  • Project duration: 2026–2028
  • An international project implemented in cooperation with the West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin (Poland).
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Kamila Kočí, Ph.D.
  • The aim of the project is to elucidate the mechanisms of green hydrogen production as a by-product of CO2 photoreduction in the aqueous and gas phases.

Conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals by catalytic and photocatalytic processes in the presence of highly active materials

  • GA CR Project No. 21-24268K
  • Provider: Czech Science Foundation
  • Project duration: 2021–2024
  • A bilateral project implemented in cooperation with the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Kamila Kočí, Ph.D.
  • The project focused on studying the relationships between the physicochemical properties of materials and their activity, selectivity, and stability during the conversion of CO2 into valuable chemical products.

Heterojunction photocatalysts and TiO2 photocatalysts co-doped with metals and non-metals for environmental photocatalytic reactions

  • GA CR Project No. 20-09914S
  • Provider: Czech Science Foundation
  • Project duration: 2020–2022
  • A project implemented in cooperation with the University of Pardubice.
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Kamila Kočí, Ph.D.
  • Focused on the development of heterostructured and doped TiO2 photocatalysts for environmental photocatalytic reactions.

The elimination of the waste air emissions by photochemical oxidation

  • MIT TRIO Project No. FV10674
  • Provider: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
  • Project duration: 2016–2019
  • An applied project implemented in cooperation with DEKONTA, a.s.
  • The project focused on the development and verification of an advanced oxidation technology for the decomposition of organic, particularly odorous, substances in waste gases. The solution included research on photochemical oxidation, the design of the technology, and its pilot verification for industrial applications.

Net4CleanAir – Network for Clean Air in Europe

  • COST Action CA23139
  • Provider: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)
  • Project duration: 2024–2028
  • An international network focused on research, standardization, and the implementation of technologies to ensure high-quality indoor air and a healthy indoor environment.
  • The research group participates in building European cooperation in the field of photocatalytic and environmental technologies.

 

Methodology

  • synthesis and modification of photocatalytic materials,
  • photocatalytic experiments in gas and liquid phases,
  • photocatalytic CO2 reduction,
  • photocatalytic hydrogen production,
  • photocatalytic N2O decomposition,
  • study of chemical reaction kinetics,
  • modeling of reaction mechanisms,
  • chemical and reactor engineering,
  • testing of photocatalysts in the form of powders, thin films, and layers on supports,
  • chromatographic analysis of reaction products,
  • standardized testing of photocatalytic materials according to the ČSN ISO 22197 standard.

Services

  • Testing of powder photocatalysts for reactions in gas and liquid phases.
  • Testing of photocatalysts - thin films - for reactions in gas and liquid phases.
  • Testing of photocatalysts in a thin layer - for reactions in the gas phase according to ČSN ISO 22197.

Results and Applications

The research group contributes to the development of technologies utilizing solar energy for environmental protection and sustainable energy. The research results find application particularly in the areas of photocatalytic CO2 reduction, green hydrogen production, nitrous oxide (N2O) decomposition, and the removal of organic pollutants from waste gases and water. The research supports the development of new photocatalytic materials, reactors, and environmental technologies with the potential for industrial application.

Selected Publications

Partners

University of Ljubljana, Slovinsko
National Taiwan University
Jagiellonian University Krakow
West Pomeranian University of Technology
Technical University Berlin
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
CNR Nanotec
National University of Littoral
Jiangsu University
National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos
DEKONTA, a.s.

Contact Information

Ballari Maria de Los Milagros

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9352)
maria.de.los.milagros.ballari@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 309

Bonetto Fernando Jose

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9352)
fernando.jose.bonetto@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 324

Ing. Filip Edelmannová Miroslava, Ph.D.

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9352)
miroslava.filip.edelmannova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 354

Ing. Jablunka Jiří

Internal Doctoral Student (9350)
Ph.D. student (9350)
Ph.D. student (9352)
jiri.jablunka@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 351

prof. Ing. Kočí Kamila, Ph.D.

Head of Department (9352)
Head of Work Group (9350)
Academic Staff Member (9350)
kamila.koci@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 309

Mgr. Kopčan Patrik

Internal Doctoral Student (9352)
Employee (9350)
patrik.kopcan@vsb.cz
+420 596 996 554

Ing. Kotulková Nela, Ph.D.

nela.kotulkova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 356

RNDr. Martaus Alexandr, Ph.D.

Analyst (9350)
Employee (9352)
alexandr.martaus@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 320
17. listopadu 2172/15 (map)
708 00 Ostrava - Poruba

Mgr. Bc. Mati Tomáš

Technician (9350)
Technician (9352)
tomas.mati@vsb.cz
+420 596 996 556
+420 596 996 230

Ing. Reli Martin, Ph.D.

Research (9350)
Researcher (9352)
martin.reli@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 355

Ing. Ricka Rudolf, Ph.D.

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9352)
rudolf.ricka@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 352

Ing. Spáčilová Lucie, Ph.D.

Researcher (9350)
Employee (9352)
lucie.spacilova@vsb.cz
+420 596 996 556
+420 596 996 230

RNDr. Valášková Marta, DSc.

Research (9350)
Researcher (9352)
marta.valaskova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 309