Following different strategies, based on organic chemistry, the research activity of the Group provides contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of Energy, Environment and Tissue Engineering, through the investigation of specific interactions of molecules and materials. These include interactions with cells, pollutants, light or atmospheric plasma or supramolecular interactions between molecules.
Competences in the team include the functionalization of carbon nanotubes and graphene, the synthesis of functional peptide based self-assembling materials and the study of chemical processes activated by cold atmospheric plasma. The synergistic integration of our diverse skills and knowledge bolsters interdisciplinary research topics such as the following.
- Synthesis of nanocomposite materials enhancing photoinduced charge separation or transport for 3rd generation photovoltaics.
- Peptide-based soft materials and conjugated organic molecules with optoelectronic properties.
- Biomimetic nanocomposite hydrogel scaffolds for the growth and differentiation of cells and for tissue regeneration.
- Recyclable adsorbent nanomaterials for the removal of water pollutants.
- Setting of plasma-based advanced processes for the degradation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other organic pollutants in water or adsorbed on activated carbon.
Main characterization techniques used in the group are NMR, circular dichroism, UV-Vis-NIR absorption and emission, Raman, HPLC/UV-Vis, LC/MS, TGA and DSC.
Our main topics are: