BrainMap

Monica Pavel

Dr

Researcher - INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Researcher

Monica PAVEL holds a BSc in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pitesti, Romania (2005) followed by an MSc in Materials Science, Nanomaterials and Multi-Materials from the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, France (2006). From 2007 to 2010, she conducted her PhD studies in Materials Chemistry at the University of Lyon 1—Institute of Research for Catalysis and Environment of Lyon, France, under the supervision of Dr. Pavel Afanasiev. She completed her studies and received a postdoctoral research position (2011–2013) at the University of Bucharest, Romania, following a short internship at the Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier in France. Since 2015, she has been employed as a senior researcher at the "Ilie Murgulescu" Institute of Physical Chemistry, Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Laboratory. Her expertise focuses on designing next-generation nanomaterials for environmental remediation.

Curriculum Vitae (28/04/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Water treatment from sources contaminated with nitrates and chlorinated organic compounds using integrated catalytic reduction / oxidation and biofiltration processes Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2019-0222 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: I.C.P.E. BISTRITA S.A.

Project partners: I.C.P.E. BISTRITA S.A. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti (RO); AKRO SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: https://www.icpebn.ro/ro/pagini/75-proiect-pn-iii-p2-2-1-pte-2019-0222.html

Abstract:

The project goal is the transfer (to ICPE Bistrita S.A.) and the development of an innovative water treatment technology for drinking water from sources contaminated with nitrates and chlorinated organic compounds. The technology will be developed at the technological level TRL 6 and implemented in the industrial environment at pilot installation in a water treatment plant. Considering a complex pollution of water with both nitrates and chlorinated organic compounds in the presence of a natural organic water matrix, its treatment becomes particularly difficult with the existing industrial technologies, under under reasonable operational and energetic efficiency circumstances and without obtaining toxic by-products. The project proposes an innovative water treatment technology using integrated processes of catalytic reduction / oxidation (conversion of nitrates and organochlorinated compounds / ammonium oxidation) and biofiltration (biological conversion of ammonium) that act synergistically, without the use of chemical reagents, with oxidizing agents produced in site (ozone). For the catalytic stage, innovative catalysts, of bimetallic type, deposited on a styrene-divenylbenzene resin will be used. The technology underlying the project starts from a technology developed and validated at the laboratory scale (TRL4) by the partner groups: P1 - UB (PROTMED) and P2 - ICF "Ilie Murgulescu" resulting from a research project funded under the program PNII-PCCA no. 100/2012, (Integrated procedure for the elimination of nitrates and organochlorine pesticides from contaminated natural waters as a result of agricultural activities), being the subject of a patent application CBI A / 00872/2016.

Advanced materials and laser / plasma processing technologies for energy and depollution: increasing the applicative potential and scientific interconnection in the field of eco-nanotechnologies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0755 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); UNIVERSITATEA PITESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: https://malasent46.wixsite.com/malasent

Abstract:

The MALASENT project proposes the development of research competencies of the consortium members in the field of advanced materials and their novel processing technologies, as well as a potential transfer towards industrial beneficiaries, for the energy production and complex decontamination of water and air. The scientific objectives associated this project proposal are the following:

- development of catalytic systems based on advanced materials processed by laser techniques and plasma, for complex processes of decontamination of residual waters and reduction of toxic exhaust gases emitted by internal combustion engines.

- development of heterostructures of advanced materials obtained by laser techniques and plasma for the production of energy through photolytic dissociation of the water molecule or photovoltaic.

- integration of the advanced materials through laser/plasma techniques in photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications at the industrial level.

The project proposal aims to consolidate, numerically and professionally, the human resources of the consortium, especially for the partner institution with recovery possibilities. Moreover, the project pursues an increase in the service providing capabilities for research services and in the establishment of consolidated collaborations with industrial beneficiaries, as well as in the visibility at the national and international level of the consortium members.

New BImetallic nanoparticles with applications in water CLEANing of chlorinated compounds and BIOSensors Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0054 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU STIINTE BIOLOGICE (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE FIZICA - ILIE MURGULESCU (RO)

Project website: http://www.icf.ro/pr_2011/Project_Bicleanbios.ppt

Abstract:

The project proposes the use eco-friendly bimetallic nanoparticles with controlled composition, morphology, structure and chemical state in catalytic and photocatalytic abatement of toxic chlorinated compounds in water via dehydrochlorination reaction. The fine tuning of nanoparticle structure prepared by polyol method is expected to bring crucial improvements by increasing the catalytic activity and resistance against poisoning compared to existing materials. A strategy for improving the catalytic performances is proposed by using ordered mesostructured Al2O3 as supporting material which will be synthesized by combined microemulsion-hydrothermal techniques. In addition, the photocatalytic hydrodechlorination reaction over bimetallic nanoparticles assembled in a controlled manner with TiO2 will be investigated for the first time. The materials will be characterized by a bunch of physico-chemical techniques (XRD, XPS, fractal analysis, gas titration TPO, TPR, Cyclic Voltammetry). Also they will be tested for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Another important application envisaged is to develop new highly sensitive and stable biosensors based on bimetallic nanoparticles. The immobilized biorecognition element(s) on a modified working electrode with bimetallic NPs will be evaluated to identify the most promising systems for biosensor construction.

The targeted technical goal is to develop a laboratory technology for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of chlorinated compounds in polluted waters. Sensitive and stable biosensors devoted to TCE assessment and based on bimetallic nanoparticles use are also planned to be developed at prototype level.

In order to achieve these ambitious objectives, in the three years proposed, a well-balanced and multidisciplinary consortium of three partners has been created. All the participant members have a well-established reputation in catalysis, material science, bio-chemistry and physico-chemical characterization techniqu

New LDH-derived trimetallic mixed oxides, catalysts for light alkanes combustion Call name: Postdoctoral Research Projects - PD-2011 call
PN-II-RU-PD-2011-3-0160 2011 - 2013

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: Universitatea din Bucuresti

Project partners: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO)

Project website: http://www.unibuc.ro/prof/marcu_i_c/New_LDH-derived_trimetallic_mixed_oxides_catalysts_for_light_alkanes_combustion.php_old.php

Abstract:

Alkanes are amongst the most prevalent environmental volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, one of the most effective and economically attractive methods of their neutralization being their catalytic combustion. Nowadays, seventy-five percent of the catalysts used for VOCs destruction are precious metal catalysts, generally supposed to be more active than metal oxides. Nevertheless they have some disadvantages like high sintering rates, volatility, poisoning in presence of water or sulfur compounds and high price. Metal oxides have not these disadvantages and can furthermore be more easily prepared, which makes them promising substitution catalysts. Amongst the oxide-based systems, the LDH-derived mixed oxides seem to be effective catalysts for the total oxidation of VOCs. Therefore, we propose to synthesize by LDH controlled thermal decomposition some trimetallic new CuZnAl and CuZnMn mixed oxides, with different copper or manganese contents. They will be characterized by X-ray diffraction, textural analysis, EDX microprobe and H2-TPR experiments and their catalytic behavior will be evaluated in the combustion of methane as model compound of VOC.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects