Prof. Dr. Protima Rauwel 

Professor of Applied Nanotechnology (Eesti Lennuakaademia)

CEO of PRO-1 NANOSolutions

Nationality: French

Status: Married, 2 children

Estonian Aviation Academy

Lennu 40, Reola, Kambja, Tartu 61707, Estonia

protima.rauwel@eava.ee

ORCID: 0000-0001-5393-2352

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

EDUCATION

• Ph.D in Condensed Matter Physics (2005, University of Caen, France)
• M. S. in Solid State Physics (2002, University of Caen)

Present fields of research

• Hybrid Materials for photovoltaic applications
• Nanomaterials applied to Optoelectronics and photovoltaic applications
• Development of water purification methods
• Nanomaterials applied to dye degradation
• Antibacterial and antifungal coatings
• Cancer therapy based on the utilization of metal nanoparticles

Experience

09/2024 – : Professor of Applied Nanotechnology, Estonian Aviation Academy

01/2021 – 08/2024 : Professor, Head of the Chair Energy Application Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering

09/2020 – 12/2020: Professor, Head of the Chair Energy Application Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology

09/2018 – 08/2020: Senior Researcher. Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology, Chair of Biosystems Engineering

09/2016 – 08/2018: Senior Researcher. Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu College

2013 – 2015: Founding researcher for Transmission Electron Microscopy, University of Tartu

2009 – 2013: Researcher, University of Oslo, Dpt. Of Physics, Norway

2006 – 2009: Post-Doc Fellowship, University of Aveiro, CICECO, Portugal

2002 – 2005: PhD Student, University of Caen, SIFCOM, France.

Honor and Awards:

IAAM Scientist Medal in recognition for her contribution to “Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology”, 55^th Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress, 28^th to 31^st August 2023, Sweden.

Present Projects:

• 2024-2028 “Development of nano-additives to optimize jet fuel combustion and reduce carbon footprint”, Main executor (Institute partner) (TEMTA144)
• 2024-2028 “Glass and sand nanocomposites investigations toward water and soil remediation”, Main research staff (PRG2115)
• 2023-2025 “Development of earth abundant nanocomposites for dye degradation and green electricity production in aqueous media” Supervisor (MOBJD1200)
• 2023-2025 “Medicinal Plant Extract Mediated g-C₃N₄ Based Photo-catalysts for Environmental Applications” Co-supervisor (MOBJD1204)

Supervision

Postdoctoral researcher:

Dr. Priyanka Panchal (2023-): “Medicinal Plant Extract Mediated g-C3N4 Based Photo-catalysts for Environmental Applications” MOBJD1204

PhD:

– Mr. Patricio Paredes (2021-): Synthesis of narrow band gap copper nitride nanoparticles for optoelectronic and energy application

Master student:

 

Former supervisions and defended theses

Postdoctoral researcher:

Dr. Sadaf Jehtva (2023-2024):”Development of earth abundant nanocomposites for dye degradation and green electricity production in aqueous media“MOBJD1200

Dr. Yuri Hendrix (2022): Nanomaterials applied to dye degradation

PhD:

Dr. Keshav Nagpal (2020-2024): Polymer encapsulation of zinc oxide nanostructures for photodiode for LED applications.

Dr. Siim Kuunal  (2014-2022): Metal nanoparticles synthesis applied to green housing

Master:

Mr. Taavi Murel (2023-2024): Optical and electrical properties of ZnO nanorods

Mr. Henno Kaeval (2021-2023): Photoelectric Properties of ZnO Nanorods

Mr. Sven Petratškov (2020-21): Testing the efficiency of new fuels composed of diesel and nanoparticles (defended)

Mr. Martin Malm (2018-20): Nanocomposites for iron and manganese extraction from water

Mr. Toivo Viidalepp (2019-20): Development of a device for photocurrent measurement

Mr. Arnaud Behr (École Centrale de Lille) (2017): “Study of water purification using metal nanoparticles” (3 months)

Mr. Andres Aasna (2015-16): Carbon hybrid nanomaterials for photovoltaic applications 

Mr. Martin Saalumaa (2014-15): Hybrid nanomaterials for photovoltaic applications

Master M1:

– Mr. Alexandre Mckenzie (2024): Electrical characterization of HfO₂ and ZrO₂ nanoparticles.

2025  Publications:

(1) «Ocimum tenuiflorum leaf-mediated graphitic carbon nitride and ZnO/GCN nanohybrid: a sustainable approach for environmental applications. » P. Panchal, P. Rauwel, S. Sharma, S. Pal Nehra, E. Estephan, K. Praakle and E. Rauwel, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. (2025)

(2) «A comparative study of Cu-based nanoparticles and their spin-coated films: photocatalytic degradation mechanisms and efficiencies towards malachite green and neutral red azo dyes», P. Paredes, E. Rauwel, D. S. Wragg, L. Rapenne, I. Gélard and P. Rauwel, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 32, 314-334, (2025)

2024  Publications:

(1) « Surface-defect tailoring in SnO₂ (CNT) nanomaterials via sol-gel routes and its influence on the cycling stability » R. Ponte, E. Rauwel and P. Rauwel, Journal of Materials Science 59, 17811–17830, (2024) [REF]

(2) « Use of Aloe Vera Gel as Media to Assess Antimicrobial Activity and Development of Antimicrobial Nanocomposites » E. Rauwel; G. Arya; K. Praakle; P. Rauwel, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 25(11),  5599 (2024) [REF]

(3) « Fabrication and evaluation of figures of merit of ZnO polymer-based hybrid UV photodiodes » K. Nagpal, E. Rauwel, F. Ducroquet, I. Gelard and P. Rauwel, Applied Physics Letters Materials  12, 061109 (2024) [REF]

2023  Publications:

(1) « Functional Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics and Photocatalysis (Editorial) » P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, Nanomaterials MDPI 13(19), 2694 (2023) [REF]

(2) « Relevance of alcoholic solvents in the growth of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO hierarchical nanorod structures on their optical and opto-electrical properties » K. Nagpal, E. Rauwel, F. Ducroquet, I. Gelard and P. Rauwel, Nanotechnology 34, 485602 (2023) [REF]

(3) Y. Hendrix, E. Rauwel, K. Nagpal, R. Haddad, E. Estephan, C. Boissière, P. Rauwel, «Revealing the Dependency of Dye Adsorption and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles on Their Morphology and Defect States » Nanomaterials  13(13), 1998 (2023) [REF]

(4) R. Ponte, E. Rauwel, P. Rauwel,« Tailoring SnO₂ Defect States and Structure: Reviewing Bottom-Up Approaches to Control Size, Morphology, Electronic and Electrochemical Properties for Application in Batteries »  Materials  16(12), 4339 (2023) [REF]

(5) P. Paredes, E. Rauwel, D. S. Wragg, L. Rapenne, E. Estephan, O. Volobujeva and P. Rauwel «Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue with Facile One-Step Synthesized Cu-Cu₂O-Cu₃N Nanoparticle Mixtures»  Nanomaterials MDPI 13(8), 1311 (2023) [REF]

(6) R. Kumar, P.Rauwel, M. Kriipsalu, D. Wragg, E. Rauwel « Nanocobalt based (Co@Co(OH)₂) sand nanocomposite applied to manganese extraction from contaminated water »  Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 11(3), 109818 (2023) [REF]

(7)  P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, «Functional Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics and Photocatalysis» Book of the Special Issue that was published in Nanomaterials MDPI (2023) [REF]

2022  Publications:

(1) K. Nagpal, L. Rapenne, D. S. Wragg, E. Rauwel, P. Rauwel « The role of CNT in surface defect passivation and UV emission intensification of ZnO nanoparticles » Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Vol. 12, 1–10 (2022) [REF]

(2) E. Rauwel and P. Rauwel, «Metal Oxide Thin Films: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications» Book of the Special Issue that was published in Materials MDPI (2022) [REF]

(3) P. Paredes, E. Rauwel and P. Rauwel, «Surveying the Synthesis, Optical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Cu₃N Nanomaterials» Nanomaterials MDPI 12(13), 2218 (2022) [REF]

(4) K. Nagpal, M. S. Rosario, K. Praakle, E. Rauwel, P. Rauwel « Investigation of the optical and antibacterial properties of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Thuja tincture » Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2315, 012016 (2022) [REF]

(5) Harleen Kaur, Kristi Praakle, M. Soares Rosario, Protima Rauwel, Erwan Rauwel « Artemisia vulgaris tincture-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity » Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2315, 012027 (2022) [REF]

(6) R. Kumar, P. Rauwel, M. Kriipsalu, E. Rauwel « A colorimetric method of As³⁺ ion detection and quantification using hand-held Lovibond photometers » Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2315, 012031 (2022) [REF]

(7) H. Kaur, P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel “Antimicrobial nanoparticles: Synthesis, mechanism of actions” published in “Antimicrobial Activity of Nanoparticles, Applications in Wound Healing and Infection Treatment”, Chapter 6, pages 155-202, Elsevier│S&T Books (2022) [REF]

(8) K. Nagpal, E. Rauwel, E. Estephan, M. R. Soares, P. Rauwel « Significance of Hydroxyl Groups on the Optical Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Combined with CNT and PEDOT:PSS »   Nanomaterials  12, 3546 (2022) [REF]

2021  Publications:

(1) K. Nagpal, E. Rauwel, F. Ducroquet and P. Rauwel « Assessment of the optical and electrical properties of light emitting diodes containing carbon-based nanostructures and plasmonic nanoparticles: a review », Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 12, 1078–1092 (2021) [REF]

(2) R. Kumar, P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel « Nanoadsorbants for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Water: Current Scenario and Future Directions » Processes MDPI 9(8), 1379 (2021) [REF]

(3) P. Rauwel, A. Galeckas and E.Rauwel «Enhancing the UV emission in ZnO-CNT hybrid nanostructures via the surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles»  Nanomaterials MDPI 11(2), 452 (2021) [REF]

(4) E. Rauwel and P. Rauwel, « Editorial for the Special Issue on ‘Metal Oxide Thin Films: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications’» Materials MDPI 14(8), 1834 (2021) [REF]

2020  Publications:

(1) R.-C. Xie C. Batchelor-McAuley. E. Rauwel, P. Rauwel, R. G. Compton, «Electrochemical Characterisation of Co@Co(OH)₂ Core‐shell Nanoparticles and their Aggregation in Solution »  ChemElectroChem 7, 4259 –4268 (2020) [REF]

(2) E. Rauwel, S. Al-Arag, H. Salehi, C. O. Amorim, F. Cuisinier, M. Guha, M. S. Rosario, P. Rauwel, «Assessing Cobalt Metal Nanoparticles uptake by Cancer Cells using Live Raman Spectroscopy» International Journal of Nanomedicine 15, 7051-7062 (2020) [REF]

2019  Publications:

(1) P. Rauwel, F. Ducroquet, A. Galeckas and E. Rauwel, « Selective photocurrent generation in HfO2-CNT hybrid nanocomposites under UV and visible photoexcitations »  Materials Letters 246, 45–48 (2019) [REF]

(2) P. Rauwel, A. Galeckas and E. Rauwel, « Time evolution of ZnO-CNT photoluminescence under variable ambient and temperature conditions. » IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 613, 012031 (6 pages) (2019) [REF]

(3) S. Küünal, M. Visnapuu, O. Volubujeva, M. Soares Rosario, P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, « Optimisation of plant mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles by common weed Plantago major and their antimicrobial properties »  IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 613, 012003 (8 pages) (2019) [REF]

(4) Rauwel, W. Uhl and E. Rauwel, « Editorial for the Special Issue on ‘Application and Behavior of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment’ » Nanomaterials MDPI 9(6), 880 (2019) [REF]

(5) Rauwel and E. Rauwel, « Towards the extraction of radioactive Cesium-137 from water via graphene/CNT and nanostructured Prussian blue hybrid nanocomposites: A Review »  Nanomaterials MDPI 9(5), 682 (2019) [weblink]

(6) P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, «Application and Behavior of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment» reprint of the Special Issue that was published in Nanomaterials MDPI (2019) [REF]

2018  Publications:

(1) S. Küünal, P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, « Plant extract mediated synthesis of nanoparticles. » published in “Handbook of nanoparticles and architectural nanostructured materials”, Chapter 14, pages 411-446, Elsevier│S&T Books (2018) [REF]

2017  Publications:

(1) E. Rauwel, A. Galeckas, M. Rosário Soares and P. Rauwel« Influence of the interface on the photoluminescence properties in ZnO carbon based nanohybrids »  J. Phys. Chem. C 121, 14879-14887 (2017) [REF].

(2) P. Rauwel, A. Galeckas, M. Salumaa, A. Aasna, F. Ducroquet and E. Rauwel « Investigations on new carbon-based nanohybrids combining carbon nanotubes, HfO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles » IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 175, 012064 (5 pages) (2017) [REF]

(3) P. Rauwel and E. Rauwel, « Emerging Trends in Nanoparticle Synthesis Using Plant Extracts for Biomedical Applications » Global journal of nanomedicine 1(3), 555562 (2017) [REF]

(4) E. Rauwel, L. Simón-Gracia, M. Guha, P. Rauwel, S. Kuunal, D. Wragg, « Silver metal nanoparticles study for biomedical and green house applications »  IOP conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 175, 012011 (5 pages) (2017) [REF]

2016  Publications:

(1) Küünal, Siim; Kutti, Sander; Rauwel, Protima; Guha, Mithu; Wragg, David; Rauwel, Erwan (2016). Biocidal Properties Study of Silver Nanoparticles Used for Application in Green Housing. International Nano Letters, 6 (3), 191−197, 2016, 10.1007/s40089-016-0186-7.

(2) Glen, Kelp; Tanel, Tätte, Siim, Pikker; Hugo, Mändar; Alex, Rozhin; Protima, Rauwel; Alexander, Vanetsev; Alar, Gerst; Maido, Merisalu; Uno, Mäeorg; Marco, Natali; Ingmar, Persson; Vadim, Kessler (2016). Self-assembled SnO2 micro- and nanospheres-based gas sensor thick films from alkoxide-derived high purity aqueous colloid precursor. Nanoscale, 8 (11), 7056−7067, C5NR07942J.

(3)Azarov, Alexander; Vines, Lasse; Rauwel, Protima; Monakhov, Edouard; Svensson, Bengt Gunnar. (2016). Silver migration and trapping in ion implanted ZnO single crystals. Journal of Applied Physics, 2016, 119, 185705, 10.1063/1.4949331.

(4) Rauwel, Protima; Galeckas, Augustinas; Salumaa, Martin; Ducroquet, Frédérique; Rauwel, Erwan (2016). Photocurrent generation and structural study of hybrid nanocomposite combining carbon nanotubes and cubic HfO₂ nanoparticles. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2016, 7, 1075−1085, 10.3762/bjnano.7.101.

(5)Lilloja, J.; Kibena-Põldsepp, E.; Merisalu, M.; Rauwel, P.; Matisen, L.; Niilisk, A.; Cardoso, E.S.F.; Maia, G.; Sammelselg, V.; Tammeveski, K. (2016). An oxygen reduction study of graphene-based nanomaterials of different origin. Catalysts, 6 (7),2016 108, catal6070108.

(6)Jukk, K.; Kongi, N.; Rauwel, P.; Matisen, L.; Tammeveski, K. (2016). Platinum nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction. Electrocatalysis, 7 (5), 428−440,2016,  s12678-016-0322-1.

(7)Kruusenberg, I.; Ramani, D.; Ratso, S.; Joost, U.; Saar, R.; Rauwel, P.; Kannan, A.M.; Tammeveski, K. (2016). Cobalt-nitrogen co-doped carbon nanotube cathode catalyst for alkaline membrane fuel cells. ChemElectroChem, 3 (9), 1455−1465, 2016, 10.1002/celc.201600241.

(8) Ratso, S.; Kruusenberg, I.; Sarapuu, A.; Kook, M.; Rauwel, P.; Saar, R.; Aruväli, J.; Tammeveski, K. (2016). Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction on iron- and cobalt-containing nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes in acid media. Electrochimica Acta, 218, 303−310, 2016, 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.09.119.

(9)Ratso, S.; Kruusenberg, I.; Sarapuu, A.; Rauwel, P.; Saar, R.; Joost, U.; Aruväli, J.; Kanninen, P.; Kallio, T.; Tammeveski, K. (2016). Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity of iron-containing nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes for alkaline direct methanol fuel cell application. Journal of Power Sources, 332, 129−138, 2016,10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.09.069.

(10) Rauwel, Protima; Salumaa, Martin, Aasna, Andres; Galeckas, Augustinas; Rauwel, Erwan (2016). A Review of the Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of Hybrid ZnO and Carbon Nanomaterials. Journal of Nanomaterials, 5320625, 1−12.2016

(11)Rauwel, Erwan; Galeckas, Augustinas; Rauwel, Protima; Hansen, Per-Anders; Wragg, David; Nilsen, Ola; Fjellvåg, Helmer. (2016). Metal oxide nanoparticles embedded in rare-earth matrix for low temperature thermal imaging applications. Materials Research Express, 3 (5),2016 055010−055021, 10.1088/2053-1591/3/5/055010.

(12)Küünal, S.; Kutti, S.; Rauwel, P.; Wragg, D.; Hussainova, I.; Rauwel, E. (2016). New methodology for the antifungal testing of surfactant-free silver metal nanoparticles for applications in green housing. In: Hussainova, I.; Veinthal, R. (Ed.). Engineering Materials and Tribology (133−138). 2016, Trans Tech Publications Ltd. (Key Engineering Materials ; 674).