Research activities

The IdEA Laboratory brings together materials scientists from physics and chemistry backgrounds to work on innovative materials for applications in four main areas: energy, environment, aerospace, and sensors. Materials design is application-oriented and based on an array of available fabrication methods comprising: pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and ablation (PLA), radio-frequency magnetron sputtering (RF-MS), evaporation (e-gun and Joule effect), wet-chemistry and spin-coating. In the laboratory several analytical techniques are available, in particular scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Testing facilities for different applications are also present, among which: electrochemistry workstation, solar simulator, flow and batch reactors for photocatalysis, two solar concentrators at low-medium and high concentration ratio and separation studies by membrane technology.

Solar energy conversion, green hydrogen and storage

At the IdEA laboratory we develop materials and processes for sunlight conversion and storage, following two main lines of research: Photoelectrochemical Cells (PECs) and Solar-Hydrothermal conversion. PEC technology is a route to solar fuels, where solar energy is converted into the chemical bonds of high energy-density molecules, such as H2 from water splitting, as in H2@TN project, or CO2 reduction products. In a PEC cell, the absorption of UV-visible photons at photoelectrodes leads to the separation of electron-hole pairs which then drive catalytic fuel-forming redox reactions. We focus on environmentally friendly materials such as Fe, W, Ti and C derivatives, to enhance and tune their performance and properties by controlling their structure at the nanometric level. In the framework of project PNRR iNEST, we’re also developing a solar-powered thermochemical process to store sunlight energy by converting biomass into valuable biofuels and carbon-based products. This is achieved by coupling a solar concentrator with a hydrothermal reactor, both designed and realized in-house.

Photocatalysis

The use of photocatalysis to destroy pollutants provides a sustainable and cost-effective route to wastewater remediation, especially when powered by sunlight. At the IdEA lab we focus on materials based on cheap and scalable elements (Fe, Ti, Co, C), designed to operate with concentrated sunlight and implemented as coating featuring 3D hierarchical micro/nanostructuring to maximize their performance.

Laser ablation technologies for space applications

In collaboration with the Astro-Particle Physics group, we design and fabricate materials to investigate applications of the laser ablation process to space science, such as the propulsion of small-size satellites and space-debris removal. The experimental activity is complemented by simulations and theoretical studies related to the gasdynamic processes governing the laser ablation processes.

Synthesis and optical functionalization of nanomaterials

Nanomaterials, for example nanodiamonds or silicon-carbide nanopowders, are at the core of many future applications. Their synthesis and optical functionalization is an important step toward their use in many fields, such as biosensing, photocatalysis, and sensing of magnetic/electric fields in harsh environments. Within this research line we are addressing viable routes for nanodiamonds synthesis, magneto-optical characterization, and device development.

Membranes

The separation of gas mixtures by thin barriers (membranes) occurs as consequence of the different permeation rates of the gas mixture components: this technology has acquired a significant role in the industrial scenario because, compared to traditional technologies, membrane separation is an energetically favored process which requires simple and easy to operate equipment. Research in the IdEA lab aims to synthetize, characterize and testing innovative polymer nanocomposites for application in separation processes and packaging  using as matrix biopolymers such as PLA and PHB- derived materials and as dispersed phase nanoparticles such as graphene- derived structures (graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide), nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals) and naturally occurring and eco-friendly 2D structures such as montmorillonite (MMT) or layered double hydroxide (LDH). 

Main collaborations

Being multidisciplinar, our research greatly benefits from a network of collaborators providing an array of skills and techniques complementing our own:

• Christ University, Bangalore, Department of Physics & Electronics – PECs and photocatalysis
• University of Liverpool, School of Engineering – structural characterization
• University of Ferrara, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences – PECs and photocatalysis
• School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh (UK) – membrane testing
• Universität der Bundeswehr München - Institut für angewandte Physik und Messtechnik – polymer free volume testing.

Group members