The Solid-State Physical Chemistry and Nanomaterials Group is available to host students for internal internships or thesis research projects.

Below are some proposed research topics:

1. Nanomaterials for the removal of pollutants from water and/or toxic substances from gas mixtures.

2. Nanocomposites/nanomaterials with controlled porosity and suitable functionalization for CO2 capture and conversion (into dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl ether, methanol), also in collaboration with local companies.

3. Valorization of industrial waste for the development of nanostructured/micro- and mesoporous materials for environmental and energy applications, also in collaboration with local companies.

4. Development of mesoporous and mesostructured materials with fine control over pore size, surface area, and pore ordering, to be used as supports and promoters for the development of materials for environmental and energy applications: synthesis, characterization, and study of the involved mechanisms.

5. Development of new synthetic methodologies combining different processes, including those assisted by microwaves and ultrasound, for the fine tuning of size and shape of metallic nanoparticles and metal oxides, and for their effective incorporation into microporous, mesoporous, and mesostructured supports, including investigation of the nanostructure formation mechanisms.

6. Archaeometric studies of ceramic, glass, and metal materials.

Regardless of the chosen topic, the activities will include several phases: literature review, synthesis and/or characterization of materials, and the preparation of a report/final thesis.

ACTIVITIES will include:

Synthesis using various sol-gel methods (from alkoxides, autocombustion sol-gel, EISA - Evaporation Induced Self-Assembly), hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, micellar and microemulsion methods, surfactant-assisted and/or microwave or ultrasound-assisted methods, impregnation methods, precipitation techniques, and suitable combinations of these methods. In some cases, the material may be functionalized with molecules bearing active groups for specific applications.

Characterization using: PXRD, TEM, HRTEM, SEM, FTIR (ATR and DRIFT), TGA, DLS, ELS, ICP-OES, N2 physisorption, XRF, DC and AC magnetometry.

Performance testing: in some cases, the activity will also include application tests such as: pollutant removal from water, removal of toxic substances (H2S) from gas mixtures, CO2 capture, catalytic tests for the conversion of CO2 into dimethyl carbonate, methanol, and dimethyl ether (in collaboration with Sotacarbo SpA). The research laboratories are equipped with instruments for these types of tests (e.g., orbital shakers, vortex mixers, pressurized reactors for dimethylcarbonate production and BreakThrough Analyzer (BTA) for CO2 and H2S capture).

EXPECTED OUTCOMES: acquisition of knowledge and skills related to nanomaterial synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and their properties and applications.

(Updated on 02/08/2025)