Research & Publications

Plasmonic photochemistry

Metallic nanoparticles act as nanoscale antennas that amplify and concentrate light in their vicinity. Our research group specializes in harnessing these unique optical properties to enhance and control photochemical processes. To achieve this, we engineer innovative metallic nanoparticle hybrid systems and investigate how their structure, composition, and plasmonic behavior influence light-driven reactivity. We then apply these nanomaterials toward photochemical and antimicrobial applications.

Singlet Oxygen

Singlet oxygen is an excited state of molecular oxygen generated through photosensitization. Due to its short lifetime and highly reactive nature, singlet oxygen acts locally at the site of production, making it an effective tool for targeted antimicrobial applications against pathogens ranging from viruses to bacteria. Our group is interested in harnessing singlet oxygen to address antimicrobial resistance through the development and optimization of new photosensitizers, as well as strategies to enhance singlet oxygen generation and efficacy.

Excited-state modulation

Our research group is interested in understanding and controlling excited-state pathways through unconventional approaches to triplet-state access. Using polymer-based systems, we investigate how polymer composition, thickness, and the incorporation of plasticizers or antiplasticizers influence excited-state behavior and relaxation processes. By establishing fundamental structure–property relationships, our goal is to develop design principles that enable the rational tuning of excited-state dynamics, reducing reliance on trial-and-error approaches in photochemical material design.

publications

[45] Of masks and methylene blue—The use of methylene blue photochemical treatment to decontaminate surgical masks contaminated with a tenacious small nonenveloped norovirus.

Wielick, C; Fries, A; Dams, L; Razafimahefa, RA; Heyne, B; Harcourt, BH; Lendvay, TS; Willaert, JF; de Jaeger, S; Haubruge, E; Thiry, E; Ludwig-Begall, LF. (2022). Of masks and methylene blue—The use of methylene blue photochemical treatment to decontaminate surgical masks contaminated with a tenacious small nonenveloped norovirus. American Journal of Infection Control. 50(8): 871-877. Background: In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, reuse of personal protective equipme

[44] Here Comes the Sun—Methylene Blue in Combination with Sunlight Sanitises Surgical Masks Contaminated with a Coronavirus and a Tenacious Small Non-Enveloped Virus.

Fries, A; Dams, L; Wielick, C; Heyne, B; Haubruge, E; Thiry, E; Ludwig-Begall, LF. (2022). Here Comes the Sun—Methylene Blue in Combination with Sunlight Sanitises Surgical Masks Contaminated with a Coronavirus and a Tenacious Small Non-Enveloped Virus. Sustainability. 14(22): 15040. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the reuse of personal protective equipment, specifically face coverings, has been recommended. Reuse of such items necessitates procedures to inactivate

[43] Nanocaging Rose Bengal to Inhibit Aggregation and Enhance Photo-induced Oxygen Consumption.

Alvarez-Lopez, C; Cavazos-Elizondo, D; Heyne, B; Kochevar, IE; Aguirre-Soto, A. (2022). Nanocaging Rose Bengal to Inhibit Aggregation and Enhance Photo-induced Oxygen Consumption. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 99(2): 580-592. Photosensitized crosslinking of proteins in tissues has many medical applications including sealing wounds, strengthening tissues, and beneficially altering tissue properties. Rose Bengal (RB) is used most frequently as the photosensitizer but is not

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