Photoactive hybrid materials

Hybrid materials designed in this project combine suitable properties of both inorganic (carrier, protection) and organic (photoactivity, forming) components so that photoactive compounds can be activated by visible radiation. Nanostructured hybrid materials are based on layered double hydroxides (LDH) and layered silicates predominantly in the form of oriented films, self-standing films, and porphyrin-LDH/polymer films. We intend (i) to develop the methods of fabrication of hybrid materials with intercalated active molecules, (ii) to control photofunctions (e.g., energy transfer, singlet oxygen formation), (iii) to elucidate the role of a matrix structure on the organization, distribution, orientation and structure of intercalated (active) molecules, and (iv) to characterize structure - release and structure - photofunction relations. We are going to develop materials applicable as carriers of active molecules and materials with controlled photophysical properties, e.g., producing singlet oxygen upon visible light irradiation that leads to bactericidal surfaces.