Biological & nano-materials for sustainable electrochemical systems

Department

Department of Chemistry, University of Bari

Main research activities/topics/projects

The research activities presented below will be directed to Master Students, PhD students, and post docs, with various degrees of complexity depending on their previous experience and their level of training. 

The main research topic will include the development of sustainable electrochemical systems covering a variety of applications, including but not limited to localized power generation, sunlight energy conversion, synthesis of valuable products, biosensing, and water treatment. All the systems will be green-by-design and developed with sustainability as the main target. At this purpose, electrodes will be prepared utilizing Pt-free materials as substrates,[1] and as catalysts: (i) biological materials,[2,3] (ii) inorganic nanomaterials,[4] (iii) organic polymers,[5] (iv) as well as combinations of (some or all) the previous to obtain devices with superior performances. In addition to the preparation of these materials, the candidates will perform their characterization using a variety of techniques (i.e., spectroscopic, electrochemical, and microscopy techniques) under different operating conditions. All the activities will be carried out in a highly collaborative and inclusive environment, with English as the working language. Various international students and post doc are already part of the work-team, ensuring a highly diverse working environment. 

The various PI working on the project will directly supervise all the candidates. Post doc and PhD students will have the possibility to work independently after an initial training period, and master students will be directly working in the laboratory with PhD students and post doc to maximize their learning process, while also fostering their independance. 

References:

[1] Torquato et al. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2024, 171: 055502

[2] Torquato et al. ChemElectroChem 2023, 10: e202300013

[3] Vicente-Garcia et al. ACS Sust. Chem. Eng. 2024, 12: 11120

[4] Giancaspro et al. Materials Chemistry Frontiers 2021, 5:  1341

[5] Buscemi et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 14: 26631

Working language

 English

Special entry requirements

Knowledge of physical chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and inorganic chemistry, as well as laboratory experience are all required at least at a level of a bachelor degree in chemistry or material sciences.

Duration in months (min-max)

Master Research: 4 -6

PhD sandwich: 5-12

Post Doc: 5-12