Nanostructures have been proved to be pioneers in the field of energy harvesting and green technological applications. We use computational tools to explore the magnetic-thermo-electric properties of the studied structures.

1. Magneto-thermo-electric properties of ionic liquid based ferrofluids 

Our group in the period (1/1/2017-30/6/2021) was participating in the H2020 FET Proactive project MAGENTA (MAGnetic nanoparticle based liquid ENergy materials for Thermoelectric device Applications) aiming at  the development of novel thermoelectric materials for waste-heat recovery applications based on ionic ferrofluids (IL-FFs), that are versatile, and cost-effective systems. The originality of the project was based on the newly discovered thermal-to-electric energy conversion capacity of ionic-liquids based ferrofluids. In the framework of this project our group predicted optimal material conditions to enhance thermoelectric efficiency and deciphered the physical origins of thermoelectric/magnetic and thermo-diffusion phenomena in IL-FFs. We will continue our studies by investigating the thermal efficiency of the new generation of IL-FFs.

Selected Publications 

Towards high-performance electrochemical thermal energy harvester based on ferrofluids 
App. Mat. Today 19 (2020) 100587

Enhancement of the Seebeck coefficient in ferrofluid based thermoelectric materials: A numerical study

Materials Today: Proceedings 44(2021) 3483-3488

Charge distribution on the water/γ-Fe₂O₃ interface
J.Mat.Mat. 484 (2019) 74

2. Nano/micro magnetic structures for reusable mask patterning

Our group starting on the 1^st of March participates in the HORIZON EUROPE (EIC Pathfinder) funded project REMAP (Reusable Mask Patterning). In 4 years REMAP making use of remotely (magnetically) controlled masking is aiming to create the first  reusable mask-based patterning technology by conferring plating functionality to a magnetoresponsive fluid  (MRf/MRE). This crucial modification frees the system from the reliance on conventional lithography for turning masks into patterns. By virtue of its waste prevention design REMAP will enable the addition or subtraction of just the right amount of material needed to obtain a desired surface pattern, setting the future standards of resource efficiency in microfabrication. Our group will lead the modelling of the new magnetorheological behaviour and will generate a holistic multiscale model with predictive power, able to inform experimental choices. Also, our group will elaborate the experimental results for the optimization of the ionic liquids based MREs and of the field gradients. By developing Finite Element Analysis codes we will also assist in the development of the remote magnetic controllers in the project.

3. Novel perovskites for energy harvesting (Mixed-halide Cs₂SnI₃Br₃, defected Cs₂SnX₆)

Defect perovskites Cs₂SnX₆ (X = Cl, Br, I) and mixed-ion perovskite Cs₂SnI₃Br₃  are studied as a non-toxic alternative to hybrid organic−inorganic CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite compound which yields efficiencies close to 20% in solar cells.

Selected Publications

Optical-Vibrational Properties of the Cs₂SnX₆ (X = Cl, Br, I) Defect Perovskites and Hole-Transport Efficiency in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells 

J. Phys. Chem. C 120 (2016) 11777-11785  

Mixed-halide Cs₂SnI₃Br₃ perovskite as low resistance hole-transporting material in dye-sensitized solar cells Electrochimica Acta  184 (2015) 466-474