Composite materials for the applications in the water management field

Project team

Project Director: Prof. Dr. Stefano Bellucci

Legal representative / institutional contact person:

Dr. Ionuț-Marius Enculescu / Dr. Mihaela Baibarac

Team members

• Mihaela Baibarac
• Elena Matei
• Irina Zgura
• Marcela Socol
• Catalin Negrila
• Cristina Bartha
• Ionel Mercioniu
• Ion Smaranda
• Adelina Udrescu
• Mirela Vaduva (ex. Ilie)
• Andreea Nila
• Monica Dinescu (ex. Daescu)
• Mirela Paraschiv
• Radu Cercel
• Teodora Burlanescu
• Cristina Stefania Florica
• Andreea Androne

The project "Composite materials for applications in the field of water management" aimed to develop polymer membranes modified with structures capable of removing organic and inorganic pollutants. The modification of polymer membranes with composite materials based on semiconducting metal oxides and carbon nanostructures enabled the preparation of polymer membranes with photocatalytic properties. The preparation of composite materials based on polymers and carbon nanostructures enabled the modification of polymer membranes with such composite materials for the removal of inorganic pollutants such as heavy-metal cations and sulfate and nitrate anions. The results demonstrated that these membranes can be successfully used in the field of water management.

What was developed within the project

The team developed the following products:

- composite materials with photocatalytic properties based on semiconducting metal oxides and carbon nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanohorns;

- conductive-polymer composite materials in the undoped state (e.g., polyaniline emeraldine base) and carbon nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanohorns;

- poly(vinyl chloride) membranes modified with composite materials with photocatalytic properties for the removal of organic pollutants such as dyes and pharmaceutical compounds;

- poly(vinyl chloride) membranes modified with conductive-polymer composite materials in the undoped state/carbon nanostructures for the removal of inorganic pollutants;

- supports active in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), in the configuration of free-standing poly(vinyl chloride) films modified with plasmonic metal nanoparticles in the absence and in the presence of carbon nanostructures or polyaniline, as well as polyaniline/carbon-nanostructure composites.

What was learned about the products prepared within the project

• The best-performing photocatalytic membranes are those based on poly(vinyl chloride), TiO₂ and single-walled carbon nanotubes for the photodegradation of organic pollutants, with highly separated semiconducting carbon nanotubes playing an important role.
• The best-performing membranes for the removal of inorganic pollutants are those based on poly(vinyl chloride), reduced graphene oxide carbon nanostructures and carbon nanohorns functionalized with polyaniline.
• Free-standing poly(vinyl chloride) films modified with Au nanoparticles in the absence and in the presence of non-functionalized and polyaniline-functionalized carbon nanostructures, respectively, can be used as SERS supports.

Towards devices and applications

The project developed polymer membranes that can be used in purification systems for waters contaminated with such organic and inorganic pollutants. New SERS platforms based on polymer films modified with plasmonic nanoparticles in the presence and absence of carbon nanostructures in their initial state or functionalized with polyaniline can be used for monitoring pollutants in waters contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants.

Results obtained

Up to the current implementation stage, the project has developed:

• photocatalysts based on semiconducting metal oxides and carbon nanostructures
• composite materials based on carbon nanostructures and polyaniline
• membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) obtained by the phase-inversion method and modified with composites based on semiconducting metal oxides and carbon nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and carbon nanohorns (CNH)
• membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) modified with carbon nanostructures functionalized with polyaniline
• SERS supports in the form of free-standing polymer films modified with plasmonic Au nanoparticles in the absence and in the presence of non-functionalized and polyaniline-functionalized carbon nanostructures, respectively
• registration of patent applications
• submission of results for publication in ISI-indexed journals
• presentation of results at international conferences
• popular science articles in Market Watch magazine
• preparation of international project proposals.

Teaching activities

1) PhD student Radu Cercel - PhD thesis "Degradation of pharmaceutical compounds and their detection in the presence of optical and/or electrochemical sensors" - pre-defense version at the Doctoral School of the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, in September 2026. Scientific supervisor: Dr. M. Baibarac.

2) PhD student Andreea Androne - presentation of reports: a) Synthesis and optical properties of TiO2/SWNT, TiO2/RGO and TiO2/CNH composites - presented on 7.02.2025; b) Composite materials for applications in the field of membranes and SERS supports - presented on 27.06.2025; c) Composite materials for applications in the monitoring and photodegradation of pollutants from water - presented on 29.09.2025; d) Applications of photocatalysts containing TiO2 and carbon nanoparticles - presented on 13.02.2026.

3) PhD student Teodora Burlanescu - PhD thesis "Composites based on reduced graphene oxide, conductive polymer and WS2 for applications in the field of energy storage and sensors used in the medical field" - pre-defense version at the Doctoral School of the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, in September 2026. Scientific supervisor: Dr. M. Baibarac. The writing of the thesis was preceded by the preparation of the following two reports: a) Applications of polymer/reduced graphene oxide composites - 29 June 2024 and b) Optical properties of pharmaceutical compounds and applications of the polymer/reduced graphene oxide composite in determining the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds in laboratory analyses - 15 March 2025.

4) PhD student Cristina Ștefania Florica - presentation of the reports entitled: a) Polymer/carbon nanotube and polymer/graphene composite materials: synthesis, optical properties and potential applications - 29 June 2024 and b) New supports modified with polymers/graphene for determining the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds in laboratory analyses - 15 March 2025.

Scientific papers published / accepted / under evaluation

1. I.B. Aor, H. Hemmami, N. Grara, O. Aidat, A.B. Amor, S. Zeghoud, S. Bellucci, Chitosan: a green approach to metallic nanoparticle/nanocomposite synthesis and applications, Polymers 16 (18), 2662, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ polym16182662
2. F. Khammar, S. Boukerche, S. Djaber, A. Boublia, A. Messabhia, A. Gharbi, H. Ferkous, C.V. Gomez, S. Bellucci, M. Albrahim, M. Alam, Y. Benguerba, Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic efficiency of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles for basic Fuchsin dye degradation: exeprimental and theoretical insights, Inorganic Chemistry Communications 176, 114274, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.inoche.2025.114274
3. L. Gahramanli, M. Muradov, M. Baghirov, G. Eyvazova, S. Bellucci, C. V. Gomez, T. Tene, R. Kharkishiyeva, Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic performance of 2D/1D graphene/Ag-Ag₂S hybrid nanocomposites, Dalton Transactions54, 15118, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5dt01999k
4. S. Kebaili, S. Iaiche, F. Bensouici, A. Djelloul, S. Bellucci, F. boudeffar, H. Cheraga, N.E. Gabouze, M. Bououdina, CuO/ZnO Bi-layered nanoarchitecture for room temperature CO
5. R. Cercel, A. Androne, C. Bartha, C. Negrila, M. Baibarac, S. Bellucci, Spectroscopic investigation of the photochemical transformations of metoclopramide hydrochloride in the presence of alkaline and oxidative conditions, Scientific Reports 2026, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-54111-0
6. A. Udrescu, I. Smaranda, R. Cercel, A. Androne, A. Nila, E. Matei, I. Mercioniu, S. Bellucci, M. Baibarac, New insights into the photocatalytic properties of composites based on TiO₂ and single-walled carbon nanotubes, Dalton Transactions  2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/D6DT00262E
7. A. Androne, R. Cercel, A. Udrescu, A. Nila, C. Bartha, I. Mercioniu, M. Baibarac Photodegradation of metoclopramide hydrochloride in the presence of photocatalysts based on TiO₂ and reduced graphene oxide, Dalton Transactions  2026, revised manuscript
8. Andreea Androne, Ion Smaranda, Teodora Burlanescu, Mirela Vaduva, Adelina Udrescu, C.S. Florica, Cristina Bartha, Catalin Negrila, Elena Matei, Irina Zgura, Mihaela Baibarac, Electronic Purity of SWCNTs as a Key Design Parameter in High-Performance PVC/TiO2 Photocatalytic Membranes, ACS Advanced Materials & Interfaces 2026, under evaluation
9. E. Sakher, T. Tahri, T., S. Bellucci, M. Bououdina, Unraveling Particle Folding in Nanostructured Shape Memory Alloy Ni50Ti50 Prepared by Mechanical Alloying, Physica Status Solidi A - Applications and Materials Science 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.202500295
10. Influence of MWCNT Concentration on Performance of Nylon/MWCNT Nanocomposite-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators Fabricated via Spin Coating Method, T. Tene, O. Gulahmadov, L. Gahramanli, M. Muradov, J. B. Gilev, T. Hamzayeva, S. Bayramova, S. Bellucci, C. V. Gomez, Nanoenergy Adv. 5, 9, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/nanoenergyadv5030009

1. Environmental remediation through advanced carbon nanomaterials, Stefano Bellucci, presentation delivered as an invited paper, S. Bellucci, 10th International Conference on Advanced Materials, ROCAM 2024, 15-17 July, Romania
2. Composites containing poly(vinylchloride) for applications as SERS supports and membranes used in filtration processes, Teodora Burlanescu, Monica Dinescu, Madalina Chivu, Adelina Udrescu, Radu Cercel, Andreea Androne, Stefano Bellucci, Mihaela Baibarac, 10 th International Conference on Advanced Materials” ROCAM 2024, 15-17 July, Romania
3. Environmental remediation and sustainable energy solutions through advanced carbon nanomaterials”, S. Bellucci, 23rd Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” (RICCCE23), 4-7 September 2024, Constanta-Mamaia, Romania,
4. Composites based on titanium dioxide and carbon nanoparticles as catalyst for the photodegradation of antibiotics”, R. Cercel, M. Dinescu, A. Udrescu, C.S. Florica, A. Androne, A. Nila, A. Lorinczi, S. Bellucci, M. Baibarac, 23rd Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” (RICCCE23), 4-7 September 2024, Constanta-Mamaia, Romania
5. Optical properties of membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride), single-wall carbon nanohorns and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, M. Baibarac, I. Smaranda, A. Udrescu, M. Dinescu, T. Burlanescu, A. Androne, M. Chivu, C. Negrila, I. Mercioniu, S. Bellucci, 23rd Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” (RICCCE23), 4-7 September 2024, Constanta-Mamaia, Romania
6. Advanced carbon nanomaterials for environmental restoration, S. Bellucci, International UFAZ Conference, CPM’s 2025 Edition, Chemistry Process Materials 03-06 June 2025, Baku, Azerbaijan
7. Advanced carbon nanomaterials for environmental cleanup and sustainable energy applications, S. Belluci, II International Conference on Modern Problems of Macromolecular Compounds - MPMC-2025, April 24-25, 2025, Baku, Azerbaijan
8. Tuning the Optical and Semiconducting Properties of Graphene Oxide Derivatives through Eco-Friendly Reduction Strategies, S. Bellucci, 5th International Conference On Light And Light Based Technologies, 16 May 2025, Ankara, Turkey
9. Composite materials for multifunctional applications, A. Androne, T. Burlanescu, I. Smaranda, A. Udrescu, R. Cercel, A. Nila, M. Vaduva, M. Baibarac, The 26th YUCOMAT 2025 Conference, September 1-5, 2025, Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
10. Applications of composites based on carbon nanotubes and TiO₂ in photocatalysis, A. Udrescu, A. Androne, S. Florica, I. Smaranda, M. Chivu, A. Nila, M. Baibarac, 6th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Advanced Materials, 29 October - 01 November 2025, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
11. Composites based on carbon nanostructures and TiO₂ as photocatalysts for removal of rhodamine 6G, I. Smaranda, A. Udrescu, A. Nila, R. Cercel, A. Androne, M. Baibarac, 6th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Advanced Materials 29 October - 01 November 2025, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
12. 2D-Material-Assisted Optical Design for SPR Biosensors: From Modeling to Multiplexable Diagnostics, S. Bellucci, "Optics and its Applications in Quantum Technologies" (OPTICS-QT) 26 – 30 September 2025, Yerevan, Armenia
13. New insights into photocatalytic activity of the titanium dioxide/carbon nanotubes composites, A. Udrescu, I. Smaranda, R. Cercel, A. Androne, A. Nila, S. Bellucci, M. Baibarac, 2nd Annual International Conference on Materials Science and Nanoscience, April 13-15, 2026, Lisbon, Portugal
14. Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Efficient Partners for TiO₂ Photocatalysts in Dye Degradation, Udrescu Adelina, Smaranda Ion, Androne Andreea,, Nila Andreea, Baibarac Mihaela, 13th European Conference on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Energy and Environmental Applications, June 22-26, Krakow, Poland
15. Tailored TiO₂-Based Carbon Nanotube Composites for Enhanced Dye Photodegradation, Adelina Udrescu, Andreea Androne, Cristina Stefania Florica, Ion Smaranda, Madalina Chivu, Andreea Nila, Mihaela Baibarac, 21st Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (CCT 2026), June 18-20, 2026, Barcelona, Spain
16. Membranes modified with photocatalytic structures based on TiO₂ nanoparticles and carbon nanoparticles, A. Androne, I. Smaranda, A.Udrescu, C. Negrila, M. Vaduva, M. Baibarac, 21st Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (CCT 2026), June 18-20, 2026, Barcelona, Spain
17. Semiconducting metal oxides enriched with single-walled carbon nanohorns with photocatalytic properties for pharmaceutical compounds removal, Mirela Paraschiv, Adelina Udrescu, Ion Smaranda, Mihaela Baibarac, 21st Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (CCT 2026), June 18-20, 2026, Barcelona, Spain
18. TiO₂/Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorn Nanohybrids as Efficient Catalysts for Antibiotic Photodegradation, Radu Cercel, Andreea Androne, Cristina S. Florica, Adam Lorinczi, Mihaela Baibarac, 21st Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (CCT 2026), June 18-20, 2026, Barcelona, Spain
19. Mechanistic Insights into Charge Carrier Dynamics in TiO₂–SWCNT Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalysis, A. Nila, M. Baibarac, 21st Edition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (CCT 2026), June 18-20, 2026, Barcelona, Spain

Patent applications

1. Method for preparing composites based on TiO₂ and carbon nanotubes with high efficiency for the photodegradation of rhodamine 6G dye, OSIM patent application A2025 00120, I. Smaranda, A. Udrescu, A. Nila, S. Bellucci, M. Baibarac
2. Method for preparing poly(vinyl chloride) membranes modified with photocatalysts for use in the adsorption and photodegradation of rhodamine 6G dye, OSIM patent application A 2025 00121, I. Smaranda, T. Burlanescu, S. Florica, A. Androne, M. Baibarac, M. Vaduva
3. Method for preparing composites based on polyaniline and carbon nanohorns, OSIM patent application A 2025 00276, M. Baibarac, A. Androne, C.S. Florica
4. Method for preparing poly(vinyl chloride) membranes modified with photocatalysts for use in the adsorption and photodegradation of the dye rhodamine 6G, EPO patent application: EP25465574.9/30.10.2025, I. Smaranda, T. Burlanescu, S. Florica, A. Androne, M. Baibarac, M. Vaduva.
5. Method for preparing a composite based on a semiconducting metal oxide and single-walled carbon nanohorns functionalized with carboxyl groups for the photodegradation of pharmaceutical compounds from water, OSIM patent application A/00193/31.03.2026, M. Paraschiv, M. Baibarac
6. Method for preparing poly(vinyl chloride) films modified with plasmonic nanoparticles, OSIM patent application A/00406/22.06.2026, M. Baibarac, A. Udrescu, I. Smaranda
7. Composites based on polyaniline and carbon nanohorns and method for preparing them, EPO patent application: EP26187709.6/25.06.2026, M. Baibarac, A. Androne, C.S. Florica

Un articol publicitar in revista Market Watch – editia octombrie 2024 https://www.marketwatch.ro/articol/18603/Contributia_INCD_Fizica_Materialelor_la_implementarea_Planului_National_de_Redresare_si_Rezilienta/

Public dissemination / Market Watch

"The contribution of INCD Materials Physics to the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan", Market Watch, October 2024. Link: https://www.marketwatch.ro/articol/18603/Contributia_INCD_Fizica_Materialelor_la_implementarea_Planului_National_de_Redresare_si_Rezilienta/

Result indicator

Impact indicator

INCDFM obtained HR Excellence in Research accreditation, https://infim.ro/hrs4r/.

National and international project proposals submitted / under evaluation / accepted for funding

1. Project call "The Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy (LEAP-SE) - Horizon Europe funded initiative co-financed by the European Union (EU Grant Agreement no. 101172838)" - LEAP-SE 2025 Joint Call, project proposal "Recycling of the spent zinc-carbon batteries in new energy storage devices", Project Director: Dr. M. Baibarac, project that passed to stage II and was accepted for funding in 2026 - https://36p0f.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/sh/ 1t6AVsd2XFnIGKBR8IWrj3nTrwhgPJ/WVN5ZAOCgK4X
2. Project call "Water4All-Partnership - co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme" - Water4All-2025 call, project proposal "GEO-intelligent solutions with portable water units for equal-access to water in crisis situations", responsible person from INCDFM: Dr. M. Baibarac, project that passed to stage II and for which the final decision is expected in September 2026
3. LEAP-SE 2025 Joint Call, project proposal "Système innovant de traitement des eaux usées par LED UV alimenté par l'énergie solaire: Une solution de réutilisation non restrictive pour l'agriculture durable", responsible person from INCDFM: Dr. M. Baibarac, project that did not pass to stage II
4. LEAP-SE 2025 Joint Call, project proposal "BIOchar-supported Metal Oxides as Optimized Nanocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, project that did not pass to stage II
5. M-ERA NET 2024 project call, project proposal "Filtration device for water treatment during Acid Rains and Drainages", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, project proposal that did not pass to stage II
6. HORIZON-ERC-SYG project call, project proposal "Intelligent treatment for the recovery and remediation of wastewaters", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, project proposal that did not pass to stage II
7. HORIZON-MSCA-2025-SE-01 project call, project proposal "Advanced defect-control and interface engineering of carbon nanomaterials for reproducible sensing and energy storage", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, project proposal that did not pass to stage II
8. LEAP-SE 2026 project call, project proposal "Systèmes hybrides à faible flux d'hydrogène vert pour un accès durable à l'énergie et des utilisations productives en Afrique", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, project proposal that did not pass to stage II
9. LEAP-SE 2026 project call, project proposal "Clean Energy-enabled Tertiary Wastewater Reuse for Sustainable Agriculture", responsible person from INCDFM: Dr. M. Baibarac, project proposal that did not pass to stage II
10. HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 project call, project proposal "SSbD bio-based polymers from marine and circular side-stream alternative sources for circular water technologies and functional packaging", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, under evaluation, stage I.
11. M-ERA.NET-2026 project call, project proposal "Nano-Engineered Oxide-Carbon Surfaces and Interfaces for Durable Energy Conversion", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, under evaluation, stage I.
12. HORIZON-MSCA-2026-SE-01 project call, project proposal "Advanced Defect-control and interface Engineering of carbon nanomaterials for reproducible sensing and energy storage", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, under evaluation, stage I.
13. HORIZON-INFRA-2026-01 project call, project proposal "Ukrainian Materials Research Infrastructure Integration through Remote Access to European Functional-Materials, Photonics and Surface-Engineering Facilities", Project Director: Dr. S. Bellucci, under evaluation, stage I.
14. Centres of Excellence project call (CoEX 2024; https://uefiscdi.gov.ro/centre-de-excelenta-coex), project proposal "Innovative Technologies for Clean Water", responsible person for the project from INCDFM: Dr. M. Baibarac, project that was not accepted for funding.