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Layered core-shell photocatalytic system for water treatment

Technology

Conceptual

University

A sunlight-driven core-shell photocatalyst using an active semiconducting polymer to reduce pollutants such as nitrate in water and air.

Background

Clean water and air demand technologies capable of removing nitrates, organic pollutants, and microbial contaminants. Nanoscale photocatalysts are well-suited for this task, but conventional approaches rely on slurry reactors that suffer from degradation, low reusability, and limited efficiency. Although electrospinning can boost surface area in the system, most systems treat polymers as disposable scaffolds — missing the opportunity to harness them as active catalytic components.

Technology Overview

This invention introduces a layered core-shell catalytic system in which the polymer is retained and actively participates in photocatalysis. A semiconducting polymer core (e.g., P3HT) absorbs sunlight and transfers electrons to catalytic nanoparticles (e.g., ZrO2) embedded in a porous polymer shell. The shell serves as both a protective barrier and a conductive pathway, preserving the stability of the core while enabling efficient charge transfer.

The system can be fabricated as nanofiber mats via electrospinning or as thin films via spin coating, making it adaptable for filters, coatings, and device integration. Proof-of-concept studies demonstrated nitrate reduction (22% conversion), validating electron transfer and pollutant remediation potential. By adjusting the core polymer or catalytic nanoparticles, the architecture can be customized for applications such as antimicrobial activity or organic contaminant breakdown.

Benefits

Active polymer catalyst: polymer is functional, not discarded or inert
Customizable design: core and catalyst combinations tuned for specific chemistries
High efficiency: nanofiber mats maximize surface area for reactions
Scalable methods: compatible with electrospinning and spin coating

Applications

Agricultural runoff treatment (nitrate reduction, demonstrated)
Municipal and rural water purification
Air purification systems
Antimicrobial coatings for medical or consumer products
Environmental sensors for chemical or biological detection

Opportunity

Available for exclusive license: material architecture, fabrication methods, and supporting performance data. This is an opportunity to integrate a patent-pending photocatalytic system into existing purification, filtration, or sensing platforms. Collaboration is welcomed to scale production and validate real-world performance.

IP Status

Patent application filed. Available for licensing and/or collaboration.

About Montana State University

Montana State University's substantial research enterprise growth has been accompanied by focused investments in innovation and research translation, creating new opportunities for companies to engage with MSU research and expertise. A particular strength is MSU’s network of specialized centers, institutes, and industry-accessible core facilities, which bring together multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research infrastructure, testing capabilities, and established pathways for working with industry partners. MSU is one of a select group of universities participating in the NSF's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, which is building the capacity and infrastructure needed to translate more research discoveries into solutions with real-world impact. The growing MSU Innovation Campus and expanding incubator infrastructure provide additional opportunities for university-industry interaction, startup development, and technology-focused companies. These efforts are complemented by MSU’s Technology Transfer Office, which works with researchers and companies to protect and license MSU inventions and facilitate industry-sponsored research collaborations.