Speaker: Pavel Janos, Faculty of Environment, J. E. Purkyne University in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic

At the turn of the century, an ability of nanostructured materials (typically nanocrystalline metal oxides) to destroy some chemical substances was discovered and exploited (among others) for the decontamination of highly toxic compounds, such as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). These active nanomaterials were called reactive sorbents (RSs). We proved that the RSs degradation efficiency towards CWAs outperforms conventional decontamination agents used by the NATO armies. Using cerium oxide prepared by precipitation/calcination route, we extended the application area of RSs to the degradation of structurally similar but chemically more stable environmental pollutants – organophosphate pesticides. It was shown that nanostructured cerium oxide is also effective in accelerating the cleavage of phosphoester bonds in other compounds with crucial importance for living organisms. We proposed the mechanisms of the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bonds in cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) in the presence of cerium oxide; cAMP is often used as a DNA simulant. We identified the characteristics/properties of cerium oxide responsible for its nanozymatic (phosphodiesterase-mimetic) ability.

In the lecture, we will discuss the applications of nanocrystalline metal oxides as RSs and nanozymes. The main (dis)advantages and limitations will be introduced. New trends and possible future applications of nanocrystalline metal oxides will be presented.

University members only.  If you are not a member of the Department of Materials Science, please contact an426@cam.ac.uk to discuss attending this talk because this room is in an area that is not accessible to non-members.