Nanomaterials 4 Green and Energy Applications (Nano4GEA)

Research topics

Advanced 0-3D nanomaterials for green hydrogen production by water splitting

Water splitting is one of the most investigated topics of the last decade, as it is recognized as one of the most sustainable alternatives to produce green hydrogen. Nano4GEA research team designs and develops nanoscale materials suitably tuning morphology, composition, crystalline structure, porosity, optical and electrochemical properties to optimize the photoelectrocatalytic performance in the water splitting.

Photoactive multicomponent nanosystems for the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater

Water contamination is one of the most pressing issues. Complex organic molecules, including antibiotics, are largely detected in rivers and water surfaces, exceeding the safe concentration limits. Advanced photo-oxidation processes seem to be one of the most promising ways to degrade drugs and dyes in wastewater. We design solar-driven photosystems, displaying low-cost, ease of synthesis, stability, and recoverability. The photocatalytic tests are performed under UV and simulated solar light at R.T. and Patm in aqueous solution.

Tuning optoelectronic properties in nanomaterials for exploitation of solar radiation

Tuning the optoelectronic properties of materials at the nanoscale may allow exploitation of solar radiation for different applications, spanning from high-temperature surfaces to semi-transparent panels. We investigate the mo- dulation of optoelectronic properties in low- and mid-band gap semiconducting nanostructures, which can be applied, among the others, to create high-temperature surfaces for solar water desalination or semi-transparent slabs for luminescent solar concentrators.