Mission

The mission is to develop a new generation of photosensitive materials for the conversion of solar energy into alternative energy, such as chemical energy (solar hydrogen) and electrical energy. The research is concentrated at the development of photosensitive oxide semiconductors, which are based on nonstoichiometric oxides, such as TiO₂ and its solid solutions. These materials are less expensive than those available on the market at present and exhibit an outstanding resistance to corrosion and photocorrosion.

The research aims to enhance several functional properties of TiO₂-based oxide semiconductors, through:

1. Reduction of the band gap through engineering of electronic structure.
2. Decrease of the electrical resistance through the imposition of high concentration of electronic charge carriers.
3. Separation of the light-induced charge through the imposition of chemicaly-induced electric fields.
4. Increase of the photoreactivity with water through the imposition of surface active sites required for the formation of active complexes with water.

Since all the above functional properties of defect-related, therefore the research strategy is based on defect chemistry, which is used for engineering of controlled properties that are desired for specific applications.

The applied research aims to develop high-performance photoelectrode for the generation of environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel by water splitting using solar energy. The research also aims at the development of photocatalysts for solar-driven water purification from toxic organic compounds and microorganisms.