Research

The activity of the Biocolloids Research Group (BRG) is concerned with experimental research in the field of materials and colloid chemistry. We particularly focus on the following topics.

Nanomaterials of enzyme-like activities

Nanozymes are defined as nanomaterials of enzyme-like functions, which are capable to overcome the limitations of natural enzymes in biomedical, environmental or industrial applications. We are dealing with both Type1 (enzymes or their mimics immobilized on nanoparticles) and Type2 (nanomaterials with inherent enzyme-like function) nanozymes of antioxidant and/or hydrolytic activities. Type1 nanozymes developed in the BRG include molecular and enzymatic antioxidants immobilized on nanoparticulate support such as layered double hydroxides, titania and polymers. Type2 nanozymes such as nanoclays, prussian blue, ceria and manganese oxide were prepared. We especially focus on the colloidal stabilization of these nanomaterials with polyelectrolytes as well as the ion specific effects on their dispersion stability. Besides, novel solvents, such as ionic liquids, are being explored as dispersion media for these nanoparticle systems. For more details, please refer to the following recent articles from BRG.

References

A. Szerlauth et al., Reduction of intracellular oxidative stress with a copper-incorporated layered double hydroxide, Chem. Commun., 60 (2024) 1325.

A. Szerlauth et al., Confinement of triple-enzyme-involved antioxidant cascade in two-dimensional nanostructure, ACS Mater. Lett., 5 (2023) 565.

N.B. Alsharif et al., Formulation of antioxidant composites by controlled heteroaggregation of cerium oxide and manganese oxide nanozymes, J. Phys. Chem. C, 127 (2023) 17201.

N.B. Alsharif et al., Dual functionality of ferrocene-based metallopolymers as radical scavengers and nanoparticle stabilizing agents, Nanoscale, 15 (2023) 11875.

D. Takacs et al., Delamination of layered double hydroxide in ionic liquids under ambient conditions, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 13 (2022) 11850.

Emerging environmental contaminants

Emerging environmental pollutants exhibit a grand challenge for water quality and expose human health and global ecosystems to potentially serious threats. Questions, like how we identify the next generation of toxic emerging contaminants; how we efficiently monitor their transport; and what actions are needed for risk assessments, prevention and treatment technologies; must become possible to tackle. In BRG, we are dealing with the colloidal aspects of water contaminants such as nano- and microplastic (MNPL) particles as well as poly- and perfluorinated aliphatic substances (PFAS). Particular attention is being paid on exploring the possible interaction between these hazardous materials in aqueous compartments; like adsorption of PFAS on MNPL. The BRG is involved in design of clay-based methods for remediation of contaminated waters. We also study the influence of environmentally relevant substances like salts, organic matter and minerals on the colloidal features of pollutants. For more information, see recent articles below.

References

T. Peter et al., Interaction between uranyl cations and layered double hydroxide nanoparticles: implications for nuclear wastewater management, ACS ES&T Water, (2024) in press

Z.V. Arok et al., Ion-specific effects on the structure, size, and charge of polymers applied in enhanced oil recovery, Energy Fuels, 38 (2024) 6798.

D. Takács et al., Colloidal interactions of microplastic particles with anionic clays in electrolyte solutions, Langmuir, 39 (2023) 12835.

K. Bere et al., Microplastics as an adsorption and transport medium for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic systems, J. Mol. Liq., 384 (2023) 122285.

Z. Somosi et al., Contaminant removal by efficient separation of in situ formed layered double hydroxide compounds from mine wastewaters, Environ. Sci.-Wat. Res. Technol., 5 (2019) 2251.