Dr Marina Ratova

I am interdisciplinary Material Scientist specialising in development and testing of advanced materials for environmental remediation processes. Semiconductor photocatalysis is my main area of research and expertise. My present research is largely focused around development and analysis of novel photocatalytic materials for practical applications, including water treatment, air purification, green hydrogen production via water splitting, antimicrobial and self-cleaning surfaces. My work is highly collaborative, and I have an extensive network of research partners, including microbiologists, plasma scientists, surface engineers, chemists, etc. 

I completed a PhD at the Surface Engineering Group of Manchester Metropolitan University in 2013 (through internally funded University Studentship) on enhancement of magnetron-sputtered photocatalytic material properties. Upon completion, I spent a year working at Queen’s University Belfast as a Research Fellow in the research group of Professor Andrew Mills, one of the UK’s leading experts in the analysis of photocatalytic materials, where I successfully designed and commissioned a dedicated testing laboratory for the microbiological assessment of photocatalytic materials.  In 2014 I returned to MMU as a post-doctoral researcher to work on a diverse range of projects that involved the development and testing of new photocatalytic materials, gaining significant experience on sputter deposition technologies. I was responsible for the establishment of the photocatalytic materials and testing laboratory – a specialised unit currently used by MMU research staff, PGR students and to provide commercial services to industrial customers. In 2022 I started my first permanent academic appointment as Senior Lecturer at the Department of Engineering.

I have extensive collaborative network, including both at MMU and academics around the world, and am always keen to form new partnerships.

I work with and consult for businesses, undertaking joint projects and contract research.

•          Novel visible-light active photocatalytic materials for advanced water treatment and sanitation

•          Materials for disinfection of healthcare-associated pathogens

•         Development and implementation of testing technique for photocatalytic materials

•          Surface modifications of commercially available photocatalytic materials

•          Novel materials for photo- and electrochemical green hydrogen production

•          Low temperature deposition of functional crystalline materials onto flexible polymer substrates

•          Surface coatings for use in advanced manufacturing processes