Nanostructured Functional Materials

The presence of defects in nanomaterials is more of a rule than an exception. In defect-rich nanomaterials, their local atomic structure is far from their idealized elemental distribution, often having preferential clustering, distorted coordination environments, and both amorphous and crystalline phases. All these leading to nanoscale heterogeneity.

Our research focuses on bridging the gap between fundamental surface science and industrial applications. This is achieved by evaluating not only the active material itself, but also its performance and durability at the device level. We work with a variety of low-dimensional systems, including nanocarbons, layered metal dichalcogenides, and multicomponent metal and metal oxide nanoparticles.

To translate these materials from the lab to real-world applications, our group has pioneered Solution Precursor Plasma Spraying as a scalable industrial manufacturing technique. This approach allows us to rapidly manufacture high-performance, durable large-scale functional coatings for a wide variety of energy technologies.

In parallel, we develop theoretical tools to investigate at the atomic level how nanoscale heterogeneity affects material properties. Coupling these models with advanced spectroscopic techniques, we study how local atomic distortions and chemical variations drive the dynamic formation and stabilization of active phases. This combinatory approach allows us to study materials at different length scales from the atomic level up to the macroscopic world.