In-house research

Bio:
Alessandro Alleva was born in Legnano in 1996. He studied Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology at Politecnico di Milano, completing there both his Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. During his academic career, he spent six months at L’École normale supérieure de Lyon as part of the Erasmus+ project. He carried on his Master’s thesis work in IMEC (Belgium), focusing on thin films deposition and characterization for high efficiency photovoltaics applications. Currently, he is enrolled as a PhD student in Politecnico di Milano and his work is centered on Li an post-Li battery technologies.

Title of research:
Morphochemical and structural changes of electrodes and electrolytes in all-ceramic solid-state lithium batteries

Abstract:
Renewable energy sources could replace hydrocarbons, but sustainability imposes integration with reliable and efficient electrochemical energy storage facilities, among which Li-based systems currently play a pivotal role. Commercial Li-ion batteries generally employ liquid electrolytes, which show poor stability in contact with the electrodes. In this scenario, solid-state batteries, with both Li and post-Li technologies, are a promising solution for next-generation energy storage, owing to their high energy density, light weight and high safety compared to the current technology based on flammable liquid organic electrolytes. This work will be centered around electrochemical investigations, soft X-ray absorption microspectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence for the assessment of the morphochemical evolution of the battery materials during operation, especially tracking the chemical state and space distribution of the electrodic metals at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Papers: 

1) Degradation of α-MnO2 in Zn-air battery gas-diffusion electrodes: An investigation based on chemical-state mapping
Bozzini B., Alleva A., Bonanni V., Ciancio R., Kourousias G., Guzzi F, Rajak P., Gianoncelli A., Electrochimica Acta, 2025, DOI

2) Carbon‐Cloth Supported ZnO Nanorods as Binder‐Free Zinc‐Ion Battery Anodes: An Investigation into the Electrode Formation Process
Emanuele E., Agrios A. G., Alleva A., Bonanni V., Ciancio R., Gianoncelli A., Guzzi F., Kourousias G., Li Bassi A., Macrelli A., Ronchese P., Sifat I., Žižić M., Bozzini B., Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2025, DOI

3) Synthesis, characterization, functional testing and ageing analysis of bifunctional Zn-air battery GDEs, based on α-MnO2 nanowires and Ni/NiO nanoparticle electrocatalysts
Salman Y., Waseem S., Alleva A., Banerjee P., Bonanni V., Emanuele E., Ciancio R., Gianoncelli A., Kourousias G., Li Bassi A., Macrelli A., Marini E., Rajak P., Bozzini B., Electrochimica Acta, 2023, DOI

4) In-Depth Understanding of Hardmetal Corrosion Performance Reveals a Path to the Electrochemical Demolition of Scrap
Bozzini, B., Tavola F., Travella A., Alleva A., Mele C., Emanuele E., Tedeschi S., De Gaudenzi G.P., Metals, 2023, DOI

Bio:
Anastasiia Deineko, PhD student at the Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. My research explores cerium oxide as an electrode material for the detection of biomolecules, in particular glucose and urea. It combines surface analysis, which is performed at the Material Science Beamline of Elettra Sinchrotrone, Trieste, and electrochemical measurements, which are carried out at the department in Prague.

Title:
Development of ceria based electrochemical sensors for biomolecule detection

Abstract:
Cerium oxide is a promising electrode material as it possesses enzymatic properties for the detection and determination of various biologically important molecules. We were characterizing polycrystalline cerium oxide prepared on a glassy carbon substrate as an electrode material for glucose and urea detection. Target biomolecules are analyzed by photoemission spectroscopies (XPS, SRPES, RPES, NEXAFS) to determine whether the molecules bond to the surface in the absence of electrochemical potential and if so, the nature of the chemical bond – physisorption or chemisorption. In parallel, electrochemical measurements are carried out to determine detection limits and linearity of response. Sample characterization is performed under vacuum (first step) then it will be done under increased water pressure to determine the effect of water on the adsorption of the target molecules. Based on the results obtained, exploratory experiments will be carried out to determine whether the performance of the sensors (detection limit, linearity, stability) can be improved by doping the nanostructures, for example.

Papers: 
1) Functionalization of the polycrystalline cerium oxide with phenylphosphonic acid molecules
Kalinovych V. , Deineko A., Mehl S. L., Piliai L., Prince K. C., Matolínová I., Skála T., Tsud N., Appl Surf Sci, 2025, DOI

2) A PVP-stabilized cerium oxide–platinum nanocomposite synthesized in TEG: pro-/antioxidant activities
Zholobak N.M., Dubova I.V., Deineko A., Kalinovych V., Nováková J., Matolínová I., Prince K.C., Skála T., Shcherbakov A.B., Tsud N., Nanoscale Advances, 2025, DOI

3) Histidine- and glycine-functionalized cerium oxide nanoparticles: Physicochemical properties and antiviral activity
Dupkalová D., Kosto Y., Kalinovych V., Deineko A., Franchi S., Nováková J., Matolínová I., Skála T., Prince K.C., Fučíková A., Shcherbakov A.B., Zholobak N.M., Tsud N., Appl Surf Sci, 2023, DOI

Bio:

Athira lekshmi M S is a PhD student at Charles University, Prague working under the supervision of Dr. Ivan Khalakhan in the Nanomaterials group of the Department of Surface and Plasma physics. She completed her Masters in Physics in 2020 from the Central University of Tamil Nadu, India with outstanding grades. At the Central University of Tamil Nadu, she worked on Experimental Condensedmatter Physics under the supervision of Dr. K C Sekhar for her Master’s Research project whichfocused on studying Energy storage capacitor applications of Relaxor ferroelectrics. Currently, she is working on monitoring the relationship between morphological, structural and compositional degradation of the catalyst and operating conditions of fuel cells.

Project title:
Unraveling deterioration of fuel cell catalysts

Abstract:
The catalytic layers (Pt and Pt-based bimetallic alloys) will be prepared using the magnetron sputtering technique for application in the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Deposited catalysts will be characterized by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The identical catalysts will be then characterized with the same techniques after stability tests performed in an electrochemical cell where the PEMFCs operating conditions will be recreated. The in situ characterization of catalyst directly during simulated operational conditions will be studied by employing in-situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) and rotating disc electrode (RDE). The goal will be to establish the connections between morphological, structural and compositional degradation of a catalyst and operation conditions of the fuel cell.

Papers: 

1) The Potential-Dependent Structure of Pt₃Ni Alloy Electrocatalysts and Its Effect on Electrocatalytic Activity Javed H., Kolmeijer K., Deka N., Van Spronsen M.A., Van Huis M.A., Mohandas Sandhya A.L., Khalakhan I., Mom R.V., ACS Catalysis, 2025, DOI

2) Balancing Activity and Stability through Compositional Engineering of Ternary PtNi–Au Alloy ORR Catalysts
Xie X., Briega‑Martos V., Alemany P., Mohandas Sandhya A.L., Skála T., Gamón Rodríguez M., Nováková J., Dopita M., Vorochta M., Bruix A., Cherevko S., Neyman K.M., Matolínová I., Khalakhan I., ACS Catalysis, 2024, DOI

3) Activity–Stability Relationship in Compositionally Tuned Magnetron Co‑Sputtered Bimetallic Catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Orság M., Mohandas Sandhya A.L., Xie X., Kučera J., Gamón Rodríguez M., Yakovlev Y., Dopita M., Matolínová I., Khalakhan I., Fuel Cells, 2024, DOI

4) Tuning the morphology of sputter-deposited platinum catalyst: From compact layers to dispersed nanoparticles
Mohandas Sandhya A.L., Pleskunov P., Bogar M., Xie X., Wieser P.A., Orság M., Dinhová T.N., Dopita M., Taccani R., Amenitsch H., Choukourov A., Matolínová I., Khalakhan I., Surfaces and Interfaces, 2023, DOI

5) Surface compositional dynamics in a PtNi bimetallic alloy under simulated operational conditions: Electrochemical and NAP‑XPS Study
Xie X., Mohandas Sandhya A.L., Piliai L., Vorokhta M., Matolínová I., Khalakhan I., Applied Catalysis B–Environmental, 2023, DOI

Bio:
Catalina-Gabriela Mihalcea was born in Bucharest, Romania and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Materials Physics, Magurele, Romania. She is a PhD student in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics. Her research field is focused on Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques and X-ray Diffraction. She received the Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, in 2018 and the Master’s Degree in “Physics of Advanced Materials and Nanostructures” from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, in 2020.

Project title:
Nanostructured materials for gas sensing: correlation between functional, electronic and 3D microstructural properties

Abstract:
This PhD research is focused on “Nanostructured materials for gas sensing: correlations between functional, electronic and microstructural properties”.
Gas sensors have been developed for applications in different areas, such as domestic safety, environmental monitoring, automotive, spacecraft or medical diagnoses. Solid-state gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxides (SnO₂, ZnO, TiO₂, In₂O₃, etc.) are currently the most frequently used. The main issues that are still currently under debate are related to their selective sensitivity, detection limit, reliability, influence of the water vapor on the gas sensing performance, etc. New materials and/or synthesis routes are currently approached in order to improve their characteristics. (Sens. and Act. B 204, 250–272, 2014).  The correct understanding of the physical-chemical mechanisms underlying the detection process may be accomplished by applying appropriate microstructural (XRD, SEM, HRTEM, STEM) and spectroscopic (XPS, EDS, EELS) investigation techniques along with the specific measurements of the electrical properties under controlled atmosphere to evaluate the global and local morphological, structural and chemical properties of the approached material. However, a serious obstacle in getting a reliable correlation between the measured electrical properties and especially the local chemical information results from the fact that the corresponding measurements are usually performed in different experimental conditions (Sensors 18, 3544, 2018). Namely, XPS and TEM studies are performed under vacuum or ultra-vacuum conditions which means far from the real operational conditions. For this reason, in-situ and operando techniques are needed in order to analyze the fine mechanisms at the electronic and chemical level.

Papers:

1) CO2 interaction mechanism of SnO2-based sensors with respect to the Pt interdigital electrodes gap
Stanoiu A., Iacoban A. C., Mihalcea C. G., Dinu I. V., Florea O. G., Vlaicu I. D., Simion C. E., Chemosensors, 2024, DOI

2) Influence of synthesis method and electrode geometry on GHG-sensing properties of 5% Gd-doped SnO2
Simion C. E., Mihalcea C. G., Iacoban A. C., Dinu I. V., Predoi D., Vlaicu I. D., Florea O. G., Stanoiu A., Chemosensors, 2024, DOI

3) Low traces of acetone detection with WO₃-based chemical sensors
Stanoiu A., Vlaicu I. D., Iacoban A. C., Mihalcea C. G., Ghica C., Florea O. G., Dinu I. V., Mercioniu I., Simion C. E., Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2024, DOI

4) In-depth insight into the structural properties of nanoparticulate NiO for CO sensing
Mihalcea C. G., Stefan M., Ghica C., Florea O. G., Stanoiu A., Simion C. E., Somacescu S., Ghica D., Applied Surface Science, 2024, DOI

5) Revolutionizing n-type Co3O4 nanowire for hydrogen gas sensing
Kumarage G. W. C., Zappa D., Mihalcea C. G., Maraloiu V. A., Stefan M., Comini E., Adv. Energy Sustainability Res., 2023, DOI

6) Synthesis of TiO2-(B) nanobelts for acetone sensing
Kumarage G. W. C., Panamaldeniya S. A., Maddumage D. C., Moumen A., Maraloiu V. A., Mihalcea C. G., Negrea R. F., Dassanayake B. S., Gunawardhana N., Zappa D., Galstyan V., Comini E., Sensors, 2023, DOI

7) The influence of the synthesis method on Gd₂O₃ morpho-structural properties and sensitivity to CO₂ under in-field conditions
Simion C. E., Vlaicu I. D., Iacoban A. C., Mihalcea C. G., Ghica C., Stanoiu A., Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2023, DOI

8) Visible-light-active black TiO2 nanoparticles with efficient photocatalytic performance for degradation of pharmaceuticals
Andronic L., Ghica D., Stefan M., Mihalcea C. G., Vlaicu A. M., Karazhanov S., Nanomaterials, 2022, DOI

9) Charge state effects in swift-heavy-ion-irradiated Nanomaterials
Luketić K. T., Hanžek J., Mihalcea C. G., Dubček P., Gajović A., Siketić Z., Jakšić M., Ghica C., Karlušić M., Crystals, 2022, DOI

10) The role of the synthesis routes on the CO-sensing mechanism of NiO-based gas sensors
Stanoiu A., Ghica C., Mihalcea C. G., Ghica D., Simion C. E., Chemosensors 2022, DOI

11) Influence of relative humidity on CO2 interaction mechanism for Gd-doped SnO2 with respect to pure SnO2 and Gd2O3
Ghica C., Mihalcea C. G., Simion C. E., Vlaicu I. D., Ghica D., Dinu I. V., Florea O. G., Stanoiu A., Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, 2022, DOI

12) Effects of calcination temperature on CO-sensing mechanism for NiO-based gas sensors
Stanoiu A., Ghica C., Mihalcea C. G., Ghica D., Somacescu S., Florea O. G., Simion C. E., Chemosensors, 2022, DOI

13) Insights about CO gas-sensing mechanism with NiO-based gas sensors – the influence of humidity
Simion C.E., Ghica C., Mihalcea C.G., Ghica D., Mercioniu I., Somacescu S., Florea O.G., Stanoiu
A., Chemosensors, 2021, DOI

Bio:
He is a second year doctoral student at the University of Bucharest in Romania, at the Faculty of Physics, in the Condensed Matter Physics program. His research activity concerns the physical properties – such as structure, optical, electrical properties – in advanced materials, involving various transmission electron microscopy techniques (TEM/STEM) and analytical methods such as EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and EELS (electron energy loss spectroscopy).

Project title:
From crystal structure to functionality: tailoring the strain driven physical properties of materials

Abstract:
The topic of the thesis concerns the influence of structural information (strain, defects) on electrical properties (electrical polarization, potential barrier, work function) of ferroelectic thin films by correlating combining advanced microstructural and spectroscopic techniques with electrical measurements. Ferroelectric oxides, such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃, are useful for electronic and photonic devices because of their ability to retain two stable polarization states. Transmission electron microscopy proved to be a powerful technique for studying the crystalline structure and chemical composition at the interface (e.g. electrodes), at domain walls  and allows the visualization of the polarization field in ferroelectric heterostructures. Other high-resolution spectroscopic techniques like, especially X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), but also electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) can provide important information on the influence of strain on the electronic properties.

Papers: 

28) Self-Assembling of Multilayered Polymorphs with Ion Beams.
Azarov A., Radu C., Galeckas A., Mercioniu I.F., Cernescu A., Venkatachalapathy V., Monakhov E., Djurabekova F., Ghica C., Zhao J., Kuznetsov A., Nano Letters, 2025, DOI

27) Exploring the Synthesis of Cu2(Zn,Cd)SnS4 at High Temperatures as a Route for High-Efficiency Solar Cells.
El Khouja O., Gong Y., Jimenez-Arguijo A., Guerra M., Medaille A., Scaffidi R., Basak A., Radu C., Flandre D., Vermang B., Giraldo S., Placidi M., Li-Kao Z., Galca A., Saucedo E., Progress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications, 2025, DOI

26) Steady state negative capacitance in p-n ferroelectric junctions.
Boni A.G., Chirila C.F., Filip L.D., Botea M.I., Radu C., Popescu D.G., Husanu M.A., Hrib L., Trupina L., Pintilie I., Acta Materialia, 2025, DOI

25) Tailoring Polarization and Dielectric Properties in HZO Multilayers: Electrostatic Effects vs. Structural Instabilities.
Boni A.G., Tsipas P., Popescu D., Radu C., Laafar S., Pintilie L., Dimoulas A., Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, DOI

24) Growth of pyramidal nanostructures in CeO2-x thin films: Characterization and morphology modeling
Crăciun C., Bercea A., Radu C., Stîngescu M.L., Bonciu A., Sătulu V., Filipescu M., Applied Surface Science, 2025, DOI

23) Exploring the Synthesis of Cu2(Zn,Cd)SnS4 at High Temperatures as a Route for High-Efficiency Solar Cells
El Khouja O., Gong Y., Jimenez-Arguijo A., Guerra M., Medaille A., Scaffidi R., Basak A., Radu C., Flandre D., Vermang B., Giraldo S., Placidi M., Li-Kao Z., Galca A., Saucedo E., Progress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications, 2025, DOI

22) Enhancement of luminescence of ZnS:Ag treated in low power radio frequency argon plasma and excited with an electron beam at 13 keV
Scurtu A., Dumitru M., Garoi P., Bănici A.M., Radu C., Ticoș D., Udrea N., Mitu M.L., Ticoș C.M., Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 2025, DOI

21) Second-order Floquet topological phases and corner states based on spatial symmetries in honeycomb lattices in the presence of spin-orbit coupling
Pena A., Radu C., Ostahie B., Physical Review B, 2025, DOI

20) Floquet topological phase transitions in 2D Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model: interplay between time reversal symmetry breaking and dimerization
Pena A., Ostahie B., Radu C., New Journal of Physics, 2025, DOI

19) Self-Assembling of Multilayered Polymorphs with Ion Beams
Azarov A., Radu C., Galeckas A., Mercioniu I.F., Cernescu A., Venkatachalapathy V., Monakhov E., Djurabekova F., Ghica C., Zhao J., Kuznetsov A., Nano Letters, 2025, DOI

18) Floquet topological spin filters
Pena A., Radu C., Physical Review B, 2024, DOI

17) Ferritin adsorption onto chrysotile asbestos fibers influences the protein secondary structure
Zangari M., Piccirilli F., Vaccari L., Radu C., Zacchi P., Bernareggi A., Leone S., Zabucchi G., Borelli V., Heliyon, 2024, DOI

16) Crystallization processes of rare-earth doped GdF3 nanocrystals in silicate glass matrix: Dimorphism and photoluminescence properties
Secu C.E., Bartha C., Radu C., Secu M., Ceramics International, 2024, DOI

15) Structural and magneto-optical investigations of citrate sol–gel derived barium hexaferrite nanocrystalline powder
Secu M., Secu C.E., Matei E., Negrila C., Turchenko V., Radu C., Polosan S., Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2024, DOI

14) Floquet topological insulators with spin-orbit coupling
Pena A., Radu C., Physical Review B, 2024, DOI

13) Atomic scale insight into the decomposition of nanocrystalline zinc hydroxynitrate toward ZnO using Mn2+ paramagnetic probes
Vlaicu I.D., Stefan M., Radu C., Culita D.C., Radu D., Ghica D., Frontiers in Chemistry, 2023, DOI

12) Resistive-like Behavior of Ferroelectric p-n Bilayer Structures Based on Epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 Thin Films
Boni A.-G., Chirila C., Trupina L., Radu C., Filip L.D., Moldoveanu V., Pintilie I., Pintilie L., ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 2023, DOI

11) TiO2 Phase Ratio’s Contribution to the Photocatalytic Activity
Stepanova A., Tite T., Ivanenko I., Enculescu M., Radu C., Culita D.C., Rostas A.M., Galca A.C., ACS Omega, 2023, DO

10) Up-Conversion Luminescence and Magnetic Properties of Multifunctional Er3+/Yb3+-Doped SiO2-GdF3/LiGdF4 Glass Ceramics
Secu C., Bartha C., Radu C., Secu M., Magnetochemistry, 2023, DOI

9) Synthesis of Nickel and Cobalt Ferrite-Doped Graphene as Efficient Catalysts for Improving the Hydrogen Storage Kinetics of Lithium Borohydride
Palade P., Comanescu C., Radu C., Materials, 2023, DOI

8) Controlling polarization direction in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 films through Nb (n-type) and Fe (p-type) doping
Chirila C.F., Stancu V., Boni G.A., Pasuk I., Trupina L., Filip L.D., Radu C., Pintilie I., Pintilie L., Scientific Reports, 2022, DOI

7) Indirect Evaluation of the Electrocaloric Effect in PbZrTiO3 (20/80)-Based Epitaxial Thin Film Structures
Boni G.A., Filip L.D., Radu C., Chirila C., Pasuk I., Botea M., Pintilie I., Pintilie L., Electronic Materials, 2022, DOI

6) Relationship between the Formation of Magnetic Clusters and Hexagonal Phase of Gold Matrix in AuxFe1−x Nanophase Thin Films
Locovei C., Radu C., Kuncser A., Iacob N., Schinteie G., Stanciu A., Iftimie S., Kuncser V., Nanomaterials, 2022, DOI

5) Structural and Optical Characterization of Silica Nanospheres Embedded with Monodisperse CeO2‐Eu3+ Nanocrystals
Secu C., Bartha C., Matei E., Radu C., Secu M., Magnetochemistry, 2022, DOI

4) A new method for obtaining the magnetic shape anisotropy directly from electron tomography images
Radu C., Vlaicu I.D., Kuncser A.C., Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2022, DOI

3) Homogeneous versus inhomogeneous polarization switching in pzt thin films: Impact of the structural quality and correlation to the negative capacitance effect
Pintilie L., Boni G.A., Chirila C.F., Stancu V., Trupina L., Istrate C.M., Radu C., Pintilie I., Nanomaterials, 2021, DOI

2) The physico-chemical properties and exploratory real-time cell analysis of hydroxyapatite nanopowders substituted with Ce, Mg, Sr, and Zn (0.5–5 at.%)
Chirică I.M., Enciu A.-M., Tite T., Dudău M., Albulescu L., Iconaru S.L., Predoi D., Pasuk I., Enculescu M., Radu C., Mihalcea C.G., Popa A.-C., Rusu N., Niţă S., Tănase C., Stan G.E., Materials, 2021, DOI

1) Accidental impurities in epitaxial pb(Zr0.2ti0.8)o3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition and their impact on the macroscopic electric properties
Boni G.A., Chirila C.F., Stancu V., Amarande L., Pasuk I., Trupina L., Istrate C.M., Radu C., Tomulescu A., Neatu S., Pintilie I., Pintilie L., Nanomaterials, 2021, DOI

Bio:
Sebastian Rücker was born in Steyr, Austria, in 1994. From 2014 on he studied chemistry and biology as teachers training at the Karl-Franzens Universität Graz where he graduated in 2021. For his Diploma he worked on nickel-based paddlewheel complexes. Due to this experience he developed a great interest in research and decided to apply for the PhD program at the Technische Universität Graz in 2022. There he is now pursuing his PhD degree with great enthusiasm as part of a very international team.

Project title:
Continuous flow synthesis of MOF biocomposites

Abstract:
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of materials that have shown capabilities as carriers for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals or for the protection of proteins from hostile environments. Despite the current progress in the integration of different proteins in/on MOFs, high enzyme activities, tuneable particle sizes, reaction time control and scalability could only be partially achieved with the bulk synthesis approach. This PhD project aims to establish new fabrication methods for the integration of biomolecules in different MOF materials. A customized in flow system will be used to control the structural and functional properties of the MOF composites. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis will help to correlate the synthesis variables with the final performance of bioactive MOF composites.

Project title: Hydration of bio-molecules by combined use of synchrotron-based UV Resonance Raman and Neutron Scattering experiments