Nanoparticles and nanocomposites applied to targeted applications sustainable energy, water remediation, and biomedical applications
Website conceptualization and administration: Erwan Rauwel
Research overview:
Sustainable energy, climate change mitigation, water remediation, and biomedical applications
Our research activities are in the frame of 5 UN sustainable development goals: Good health and well being, Cleaner water and sanitation, Affordable and cleaner energy, Climate actions, and Partnership for the goals. Our projects objectives fall in EU-decarbonized energy transition of 2050, and EU Green Deal principles of sustainability and green industry by promoting reusability of new technology and circular economy. Our research team regroups PhD students, researchers and professors from Estonian University of Life Science and Estonian Aviation Academy. Our main goal is to develop solutions based on nanotechnology to present societal problems related to climate change, energy and water scarcity and health.
Our research activities are presently mainly funded by the ETAg TEAM Grant (PRG2115), Thematic research and development programs from Estonian Ministry of Research / ETAg (TEM-TA144).
We are a material science and nano-engineering research group with the main research focus on metal oxide and metal nanoparticle synthesis. Our research group is more particularly interested by silver, cobalt, copper, copper nitride, zinc oxide, hafnium dioxide, and hybrid nanomaterials. The main targeted applications are sustainable energy, biocidal coatings, water purification, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, photocatalysis, decrease of air freight carbon footprint, and biomedical application.
In addition to the conventional synthesis methods, green synthesis is an objective of ours. Team main expertise includes also thin film synthesis (ALD, MOCVD, PLD, sputtering), sol-gel chemistry, transmission electron microscopy and related techniques, vacuum techniques, CMOS technology, photoluminescence, scientific writing, research projects.
Our previous research activities were partially funded by the Estonian Centre of Excellence EQUiTANT TK134 (2015-2023), ETAg personal research funding PUT431 and EMÜ Bridge Funding (P200030VLVB) (2020-2024).
Latest updates
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All The research Team wish you a Happy and Successful New Year 2026
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01/12/2025
Prof.Protima Rauwel has been interviewed by Nanomaterials editors to introduce the research focus and the key findings of the award-winning paper “Revealing the Dependency of Dye Adsorption and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles on Their Morphology and Defect States” published in Nanomaterials MDPI! Congratulations to Protima and all authors for this recognized research work.
31/10/2025
Congratulations to our collaborator Arsalan Akhtar who published a paper on the study of the role of defects on the properties of nanocomposites made from HfO2 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes with our research team and through the NFFA-Europe framework (http://nffa.eu). The manuscript is published in Computational Materials Science:
“Interfacial electronic structure in hybrid HfO2 nanostructures“
29/09/2025
To start the new academic year, we successfully performed engine test at EAVA with our most recent nano-additives. The tests were succesfull showing better combustion with nanoadditives and reaching 42000 rpm! We have had a great day!
26/09/2025
Our PhD student, Patricio Paredes defended successfully his thesis entitled ” Tailoring Cu-based nanostructures for sunlight-assisted photocatalysis applications“. The research work related to water sanitation was performed in the frame of the PRG2115 project.
24-25/09/2025
During Teadlaste öö (scientist’s night), we presented nanotechnology and nanomaterials to public. We explained how nanomaterials and nanocomposites can extract heavy metal from water and soil for remediation, and how basic products like plants, oil waste, agriculture waste can be used to produce nanomaterials that can then be used in practical application to solve environmental problems. The attendees participated to practical workshops and Kahoot! tests finalized the experience.
15/07/2025
Our manuscript “Revealing the Dependency of Dye Adsorption and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles on Their Morphology and Defect States” published in Nanomaterials MDPI has been awarded Best Paper 2023! Congratulations to all authors for this recognized research work. [LinkedIn]
17/11/2024
Dr. Laura Coconubo started a new position as Postdoctoral researcher in our research team. She will work in the frame of the PRG2115 team grant to work on the heavy metal ions extraction from polluted water and develop a filter prototype that can be used to clean well water. Welcome in the team Laura!
01/06/2025
Prof. Protima Rauwel published a popular science article in Tehnikamaailm on Sustainable aviation: “Sustainable aviation – are we up to the challenge? / Kestlik lennundus – kas tuleme väljakutsega toime?”, the article is in Estonian, but easy to translate. It give an overview of the problematic related to the carbonfoot pring of air freight and what are the present challenges to face with which possible solution. Enjoy the reading!
29/05/2025
Dr. Priyanka Panchal published her second paper in the frame of her Mobilitas+ grant project as PI. She reviewed the possibility to combine green synthesized nanoparticles with Graphic Carbon Nitride to obtain a synergistic effect and the review highlights the need of Machine Learning process in the field of plant-based synthesis approach. Congratulations! You can find the manuscript here: « A Review on Biomedical Applications of Plant Extract-Mediated Metallic Ag, Au, and ZnO Nanoparticles and Future Prospects for Their Combination with Graphitic Carbon Nitride »
31/03/2025
Congratulations to Dr. Priyanka Panchal who published her first paper in the frame of her Mobilitas+ grant project as PI. She reports on a new green synthesis to produce graphitic carbon nitride using plant parts for water purification. Here is the manuscript published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research:
30/01/2025
Today, we successfully tested the gas turbine for the combustion tests. The gas turbine is equipped with different sensors to control the combustion and turbine functionning. All parameters are monitored on live. Thanks to Neethu, Shafiqu and Madis for their excellent work. Most of the reseach team was there for the first test and you can watch the video of the first test HERE! Congratulations to all the team!