Technical Environmental Chemistry and Sensor Technology

The TUC deals with novel water pollutants (emerging pollutants, pharmaceutical residues, dyes, industrial chemicals), their (real-time) determination, and the development of innovative technical processes for their efficient removal from water. Our research approach is thematically broad, often interdisciplinary, and encompasses not only knowledge-oriented basic research but also applied research and development. Our approach involves translating basic research conducted on a laboratory scale to an industrial scale, which is achieved in collaboration with relevant companies. We therefore see our research as a bridge between academic basic research and concrete application. Furthermore, we view interdisciplinarity as both an opportunity and a necessity for successful research in our fields of work.

Research focuses on various methods in the field of advanced oxidation processes, whereby, in addition to cavitation and electrochemical, photo-(kata)-lytic, and pyro- or piezoelectrocatalytic methods, classic methods such as Fenton, ozonation, or oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, as well as combinations of these, are also being researched and further developed. The use of ceramic membranes in the field of micro-, ultra- and nanofiltration and sorption processes, as well as combinations of these for various applications, is also being investigated.
Anthropogenic (micro)pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues and industrial chemicals are the focus of the research group. In addition to efficient removal, the detection and quantification of these pollutants, the elucidation of the transformation products resulting from oxidative/reductive/microbiological substance conversion processes, the kinetics of the processes, and the (eco)toxicological evaluation are of great interest.
In addition, the research also focuses on the further development and optimization of cavitation processes. In addition to comparative studies on generation processes, their technological application potential, and energy efficiency, this also includes the development and optimization of combination processes with, for example, electrochemical or photochemical substance conversions.
Current topics include chemical-free continuous COD determination, the use of artificial intelligence methods for predictive models of degradability in technical treatment processes, pyro- or piezoelectrocatalysis, textile functionalization, and the recovery of recyclable materials from wastewater.