Research Projects
Development of flexible and high efficiency piezoelectric nanogenerators based on perovskite/PVDF nanocomposites

Research head: Rocio Moriche Tirado
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: TED2021-131458A-I00
Research group: Francisco José Gotor Martínez (ICMS), María Jesús Sayagués de Vega (ICMS), Rosalía Poyato Galán (ICMS), Ana Morales Rodríguez (US), Felipe Gutiérrez Mora (US), Ángela Gallardo López (US)
Abstract [+]
Application of advanced disinfection processes with nanomaterials in the reduction of impact from urban pressures in the framework of circular economy

Research head: Rosa Mosteo Abad (UNIZAR) y Mª Peña Ormad Melero (UNIZAR)
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: TED2021-129267B-I00
Research group: María Carmen Hidalgo López (ICMS), Francisca Romero Sarria (ICMS), MªPilar Goñi Cepero (UNIZAR) y Encarnación Rubio Aranda (UNIZAR)
Abstract [+]
Water is one of the natural resources that, due to its limited and variable nature, both in quantity and quality, should be protected with special intensity, in line with the Environmental Objectives that support the ecological transition: sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. Studies realized in collaboration with the Confederación Hidrográfica del Ebro, the urban point sources are the pressures that in most cases are the cause of non-compliance
with the environmental quality objectives established by the DMA. This non-compliance are mainly related to microbiological contamination in the receiving waters of these discharges.
Generally, as there is no legal requirement, wastewater treatment facilities do not include disinfection processes that reduce the microbiological load of effluents and, consequently, these agents are incorporated into natural waters, limiting the usemade of them, especially in supplying populations and recreational use (bathing and others). Likewise, such contamination in wastewater limits the possibility of its subsequent reuse, reducing the capacity to increase the availability of water resources. It is important to remark that, water reuse for agricultural irrigation can also contribute to circular economy by recovering nutrients from the reclaimed water and applying them to crops, by means of fertigation techniques. Thus, water reuse could potentially reduce the need for supplemental applications of mineral fertilizer.
Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the wastewater treatment efficiency by non-conventional processes that improve the treated water quality with the final objective of allowing a safe reuse of effluents, taking into account the regulation (EU) 2020/741. On the other hand, the control of more microbiological parameters is essential for a correct analysis of the technologies application. Aware of this need, the AySA group has been developing research projects for many years focus on the research about conventional and non-conventional processes, based on photocatalytic processes, applied for disinfection waters and about the microbiological control in urban wastewater treatment plants. The main objective of this project is to select the best technology for disinfection of treated urban wastewater for full-scale application by the improvement of previously studied advanced oxidation processes in the disinfection of these type of waters. Furthermore, the microbiological control, not only by bacterial indicators conventionally used but also protozoa and endosymbiotic bacteria that are inside amoebae, is consider very relevant in this project since to our knowledge, there are no studies investigating such a wide range of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms. This realistic approach is expected to minimise the impact on the receiving waters and increase the possibility of reuse, reducing the the health and environmental risk.
Design and selection of novel materials for the fabrication of high performance reversible solid oxide fuel cells

Research head: Francisco José García García (US) y Juan Gabriel Lozano Suárez (US)
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: TED2021-132057B-I00
Research group: Francisco José Gotor Martínez (ICMS), María Jesús Sayagués de Vega (ICMS), Yadir Torres Hernández (US), Isabel Montealegre Meléndez (US), Cristina María Arévalo Mora (US), Ana María Beltrán Custodio (US), Eva María Pérez Soriano (US), Paloma Trueba Muñoz (US)
Abstract [+]
Development of intermittent plasmas ignited by renewable electricity for the CO2 splitting and revalorization processes [RENOVACO2]

Research head: Ana María Gómez Ramírez y Manuel Oliva Ramírez
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación "Transición Ecológica y Transición Digital"
Code: TED2021-130124A-I00
Research group: Rafael Álvarez Molina, José Cotrino Bautista, María del Carmen García Martínez (US), Alberto Palmero Acebedo, Agustín R. González-Elipe
Abstract [+]
CO2 emissions currently represent the 77% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of anthropogenic origin. It provokes a gradual increase in global warming of our planet with catastrophic environmental consequences. There is no doubt about the need to promote a transition toward an economy avoiding the intensive use of fossil fuels, i.e., using the electricity generated from renewable sources as primary source of energy, and favoring alternative and more sustainable chemical processes. The project "Development of intermittent plasmas ignited by renewable electricity for the CO2 splitting and revalorization processes", RENOVACO2, aims at developing atmospheric plasma technologies that use electricity as a direct energy vector to induce chemical processes that are currently carried out through catalytic techniques (i.e., at high pressures and temperatures, using harmful and non-recyclable catalysts). RENOVACO2 is a multidisciplinary project that pursuits the development of novel physical processes for the elimination and revalorization of CO2, especially designed and optimized for their activation by means of renovably energy sources. The proposed technology consist of using atmospheric pressure plasmas to induce chemical reactions in non-equilibrium conditions at atmospheric pressure and in a distributed way.
Photophysical analysis of parameters affecting efficiency and stability of dry processed metal halide perovskite solar cells: activation and degradation processes

Research head: Hernán Míguez García y Juan Francisco Galisteo López
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: TED2021-129679B-C22
Research group: Mauricio Calvo Roggiani, Gabriel Lozano Barbero
Abstract [+]
Advanced photophysical characterization has proven to be a key tool in the study of the optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites. Over the past decade time-resolved absoprtion and emission measurements have unveiled the unique photophysics of this material and have contributed to explain both, their outstanding performance in light harvesting and emitting devices but also its main limitations, such as material instability. These measurements have thus been used as a means to guide materials fabrication beyond trial and error approaches and have contributed to turning perovskites into the fastest growing photovoltaic technology. In this regard, advanced optical characterization will be employed in the present subproject (ESPER2) to bring vacuum thermal evaporated PV devices one step closer to the optimal performance in terms of efficiency as well as stability. A combination of steady state and time-resolved optical characterization experiments will be performed on perovskite films, architectures and devices in order to understand those factors affecting its performance: the presence of crystalline defects (and means to avoid them via compositional changes and passivating agents), the transfer of charges from the perovksite to adjacent charge transporting layers and the presence of photo-induced processes (such as photo activation and degradation) as well as the possibility of using the latter as a means to improve the materials optoelectronic properties. Beyond extracting critical information regarding charge recombination and transport, an optical design will be carried out in order to optimize light harvesting within the device comprising the best performing materials. The proposed characterization will thus help bringing a technology amenable to be used for mass production, such as vacuum deposition, closer to the market demands in terms of efficiency and durability.
Towards Digital Transition in Solar Chemistry (SolarChem 5.0): Photoreactors

Research head: Sixto Malato Rodríguez (PSA-CIEMAT) y Diego C. Alarcón Padilla (PSA-CIEMAT)
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación "Transición Ecológica y Transición Digital"
Code: TED2021-130173B-C43
Research group: Gerardo Colón Ibáñez, Alba Ruiz Aguirre (PSA-CIEMAT)
Abstract [+]
The Solar Energy Challenge. Throughout history, the most significant improvements in humanity have been linked to the industrial revolution (IR). Nowadays, we are immersed in the 4th IR “The digitally disruptive era” where Europe is on a transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.1 Industry 5.0 aims to position research and innovation to the service of the transition to a sustainable, human-centric, and resilient European industry.2 Solar chemical technologies will radically alter the existing models of industrial production and energy transformation and storage. However, the needed scale is in sight but not yet reached due to the lack of available highly performance and low-cost technologies. SolarChem 5.0 aims to contribute to the 5th IR, laying the foundation basis of the synergy between ecological and digital transition in the framework of Solar Chemistry through: “The development of an innovative Digital Solar Chemistry technology, to convert Earth-abundant resources and pollutants into fuels and chemicals, filling the gap between sustainable and scalable solar-driven technologies”
To achieve this ambitious objective and taking into account the complexity and the project duration our strategy is based on the design of an interdisciplinary consortium formed by four subprojects (SP) that include leading research groups in complementary disciplines such as: Chemistry, Material Science, Bio-catalysis, Photoelectrochemistry, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Solar Technologies and Advanced Characterization. Each SP incorporates a multidisciplinary crew composed by more than one research team from different research institutions, universities, and/or singular facilities.
This subproject dedicated to photoreactors (SP3) will be concentrated in the conceptual design and development of a Solar photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactor for the selection of the most suitable configuration for the reaction and the operation of the solar collector. The research activities of this SP3 will be developed in WP5 and managed by researchers from two different institutions: PSA-CIEMAT (leader of SP3) and ICMSE-CSIC. The “Plataforma Solar de Almería” (PSA) is a European Large Scientific Installation and a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure of Spain (ICTS) with a vast background in the design, construction, and implementation of solar reactors for photochemical reactions, together with outstanding installations. The PSA-CIEMAT team also has extensive experience in the use of ray tracing programs such as TONATIUH and SOLTRACE for the opto-energetic characterization of concentrating solar power systems. Likewise, a set of self-developed solar thermal simulation tools validated in the different low and medium-temperature solar pilot plants available at PSA. In addition, ICMSE-CSIC team will participate in the development of the PEC Cell and the electrode integration.
Triboelectric nanogenerators for raindrop renewable energy harvesting

Research head: Ana Isabel Borrás Martos y María del Carmen López Santos
Period: 01-12-2022 / 30-11-2024
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: TED2021-130916B-I00
Research group: Gildas Leger, José Cotrino, Ricardo Molina, Juan Ramán Sánchez, Victor Rico, Germán de la Fuente, Juan Pedro Espinós, Antonio José Ginés, Angel Barranco, Luis Alberto Angurel, Jorge Gil, Agustín R. González-Elipe
Abstract [+]
DropEner aims to develop rain panels, that is, energy collectors from drops that, based on the principle of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), work in outdoor conditions and can be manufactured through scalable and high-performance technologies. The project will demonstrate the application of an innovative concept recently patented by the group Nanotechnology on Surfaces and Plasma (CSIC-US), "Tixel", on the collection of kinetic energy from drops in instant contact with a triboelectric surface integrated into a condenser-like architecture. Therefore, the main objective is to develop a drop energy harvesting panel based on the first TENG of nano and microstructured architectures capable of generating high power density by implementing triboelectric nanogenerator arrays at the microscale, where each nanogenerator produces hundreds of microwatts of power when a high-velocity, high-energy raindrop strikes its surface. The total power output would be equivalent to the sum of the power produced by the individual systems and could potentially reach hundreds of watts per square meter when a well-designed high density array is manufactured. In addition, in a step further in the state of the art for the exploitation of solid-liquid drop energy harvesters, DropEner pursues the development of durable and transparent Tixels fully compatible with solar cells, including Silicon and Third Generation technologies. (such as dye solar cells and perovskite solar cells). The expected advances cover aspects such as the development of surfaces with super-wettability, the exploitation of scalable production routes and processing of materials, the manufacture of transparent drop energy harvesters, the proof of concept of novel designs of triboelectric nanogenerators and the management of energy in multi-source intermittent energy collection systems.
DeSign of Multifunctional cAtalysts foR one poT sustainable fuel synthesis from CO2-rich syngas via hybrid Fischer-TropSch/Hydrocracking processes (SMART-FTS)

Research head: José Antonio Odriozola Gordón y Tomás Ramírez Reina
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2025
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: PID2021-126876OB-I00
Research group: Luis Francisco Bobadilla Baladrón, Anna Dimitrova Penkova, Francisco Manuel Baena Moreno, José Rubén Blay Roger, Nuria García Moncada, Miriam González Castaño, Ligia Amelia Luque Álvarez
Abstract [+]
Siguiendo las indicaciones de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas (UNSDG), es obligatorio tomar acción al respecto buscando alternativas de energía limpia y asequible (objetivo 7) para favorecer ciudades y comunidades sostenibles (objetivo 11) mientras se mitiga el cambio climático. cambio (objetivo 13). De hecho, Horizon Europe da prioridad a las tecnologías bajas y cero emisiones de carbono como objetivos clave para la próxima generación de Europa. Sobre la base de estas premisas, la biomasa, y en particular los residuos de biomasa, representan un prometedor sustituto de los combustibles fósiles y una excelente materia prima para la fabricación de combustibles bajos en carbono. Durante su breve ciclo de vida, todo el carbono de la biomasa proviene de la atmósfera y el suelo y se libera al medio ambiente cuando se quema. Por lo tanto, la biomasa se considera un combustible neutro en carbono. Además, los combustibles derivados de biomasa son hidrocarburos de alta densidad energética que son ideales para vehículos de aviación, marítimos y pesados, a diferencia de las baterías y los dispositivos electroquímicos, que son adecuados para aplicaciones más ligeras y, por lo tanto, complementarios de los biocombustibles. En pocas palabras, no podemos hacer volar un avión con baterías durante largas distancias, pero podemos alimentarlo con biocombustibles sostenibles. Por lo tanto, los biocombustibles de biomasa están destinados a desempeñar un papel clave en la descarbonización del sector del transporte. Además, ofrecer una segunda vida a los biorresiduos es crucial para algunas comunidades (es decir, la agricultura y el sector agrícola) cuyos horizontes de mercado pueden expandirse convirtiendo un "residuo" problemático en "precursores de biocombustibles" rentables. En este sentido, SMART-FTS trae conceptos disruptivos sobre la producción de biocombustibles a partir de bio-syngas para impulsar la descarbonización del transporte en armonía con la estrategia de economía circular.
Development of biochar based heterostructured materials with photofuntional properties for applications in water decontamination and disinfection processes

Research head: María Carmen Hidalgo López y Francisca Romero Sarria
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2025
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación "Generación de Conocimiento"
Code: PID2021-122413NB-I00
Research group: José Manuel Córdoba Gallego, Concepción Real Pérez, María Dolores Alcalá Gonzalez, José Antonio Navío Santos y Rosa Mosteo Abad (UNIZAR)
Abstract [+]
In the present research project we propose the development heterostructured photocatalyst systems (ZnWO4/ZnO, WO3/AgBr, WO3/TiO2, Bi2WO6/TiO2, ZnBi2O4/ZnO, Bi4Ti3O12/Bi20TiO32) coupled or supported on biochars (coming from the pyrolysis of olive pruning waste, rice husk and olive stones and allowing a path of revalorization of these wastes), the study of the different synthesis variables and methods, their optimization, and their photocatalytic behavior evaluated in the disinfection of water and degradation of emerging pollutants.
In the last years, new photocatalysts based on heterostructured materials are arising, where semiconductor heterojunctions have been developed to achieve the spatial separation of electrons and holes providing appropriate separation pathways, thus obtaining benefits for prolonged charge carriers lifetime, broadening light absorption and increasing the efficiency of the system. Although these materials have shown good behavior in the visible on the different substrates studied, they generally present moderate or low specific surface area values, and some of them have stability problems after few reaction cycles.
The project proposes the coupling or support of these heterostructured photocatalysts on biochar of different characteristics, with the aim of providing them with higher specific surface areas and increase their effectiveness and stability for their applications as photocatalysts, improving the absorption ability, narrowing the bad-gap where the biochar can act as photosensitizer, improving the electron transport, allowing a better separation of photogenerated carriers and prolonging their lifetime and providing stabilization and photo-stabilization to the systems.
Biochars are carbon-rich materials obtained by thermal treatment of biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis) and show interesting properties such as high specific surface areas and porosities, and can be tailored by controlling operating conditions, to obtained desired amount and type of functional groups on their surfaces, hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity and surface pH.
The main objectives of the project involve full physico-chemical characterization and optimization of biochar/ heterostructured photocatalysts for the proposed applications under different operation conditions, as solar or visible illumination. The effectiveness of each system in the reduction of emerging contaminants (antibiotic products) and in the inactivation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms usually present in water will be evaluated.
The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in waters is an issue of special concern due to the potential risk of waterborne diseases, and consequently, microbial control is necessary in waters. Likewise, pharmaceuticals and personal care products are commonly used and release to waters. Their potential adverse effects on human health, led to cataloguing them as relevant environmental contaminants belonging to the class of emerging contaminants.
The project is approached from an interdisciplinary point of view and in the context of the circular economy, by revalorizing a waste product (biomass) to develop photocatalysts that provide a solution to a problem (decontamination and disinfection of water) by means of environmentally friendly processes (heterogeneous photocatalysis).
Manufacturing of iron-based porous materials with refractory characteristics for hydrogen purification, use and storage systems

Research head: Ranier Enrique Sepúlveda Ferrer (US) y Ernesto Chicardi Augusto (US)
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2026
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación "Generación de Conocimiento"
Code: PID2021-123010OB-I00
Research group: Dr. Antonio Gabriel Paúl Escolano (US), Dr. Jesús Hernández Saz (US), Dr. Krishnakumar Balu (US) ICMS: Dr. Francisco José Gotor Martínez
Abstract [+]
STructured unconventional reactors for CO2-fRee Methane catalytic crackING

Research head: Miguel Angel Centeno Gallego
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2025
Financial source: Unión Europea
Code: EU240226_01
Research group: Maria Isabel Domínguez Leal, Leidy Marcela Martínez Tejada, Svetlana Ivanova
Abstract [+]
STORMING desarrollará reactores estructurados innovadores calentados con electricidad renovable, para convertir CH4 fósil en H2 libre de CO2 y en nanomateriales de carbono de alto valor para aplicaciones de baterías. Más específicamente, se desarrollarán catalizadores innovadores basados en Fe, altamente activos y fácilmente regenerables mediante procesos que no generen residuos, a través de un protocolo de diseño racional de catalizadores, que combina estudios teóricos (Teoría del Funcional de la Densidad y Cálculos de Dinámica Molecular) y experimentales (cluster), todos de ellos asistidos por caracterización in situ y operando y herramientas de Machine Learning. La electrificación (con calentamiento por microondas o por efecto joule) de reactores estructurados, diseñados por fluidodinámica computacional y preparados mediante impresión 3D, permitirá un control térmico preciso que dará como resultado una alta eficiencia energética. El proyecto validará, en un nivel 5 de TRL, la tecnología catalítica más prometedora (elegida con criterios tecnológicos, económicos y ambientales) para producir H2 con eficiencia energética (> 60 %), cero emisiones netas y con un coste hasta un 10 % menor al del proceso convencional. La difusión y comunicación de los resultados impulsará la aceptación social de las tecnologías relacionadas con el H2 y la participación de las partes interesadas en la explotación y el despliegue de procesos a corto plazo. La clave para alcanzar los desafiantes objetivos de STORMING es el muy alto grado de complementariedad e interdisciplinaridad de los grupos que forman el consorcio, donde las ciencias básicas y aplicadas se fusionan con la ingeniería, la informática y las ciencias sociales. El Grupo del ICMS implicado llevará a cabo el desarrollo del catalizador desde la preparación de los catalizadores en polvo hasta su washcoating sobre soportes estructurados. CSIC participa como miembro del consorcio, participando la Universidad de Sevilla como entidad asociada.
Lanthanide-based bioprobes for MRI and persistent luminescence imaging

Research head: Ana Isabel Becerro Nieto y Manuel Ocaña Jurado
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2025
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación "Generación de Conocimiento"
Code: PID2021-122328OB-100
Research group: Nuria O. Núñez Álvarez
Abstract [+]
The overall objective of this project is the development of new contrast agents (CAs) to improve medical diagnostics using two advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and persistent luminescence (PersL) imaging. Specifically, it is planned to develop dual MRI (T1-T2) CAs and PersL bioprobes. The advantage of dual MRI CAs over classical MRI CAs is that they allow two types of resonance images (T1-and T2 weighted images) to be obtained with a single agent. Obtaining both images is very useful as it allows avoiding false positives by cross-validation of both images. On the other hand, the use of probes with PersL significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the luminescence image since, by irradiating the probe outside the organism, autofluorescence of the tissues is avoided. An additional advantage of this type of luminescent probes is that they avoid direct irradiation of living tissues with harmful ultraviolet light. Both types of CAs (MRI and PersL CAs) will consist of uniform nanoparticles (NPs) based on various carefully selected inorganic matrices containing lanthanide ions, whose excellent magnetic and luminescent properties make them ideal candidates for the pursued applications. For MRI CAs, two types of architectures will be addressed, consisting of single-phase nanoparticles (NPs), where the T2 (Dy3+) and T1 (Gd3+ or Mn2+) active cations are in solid solution, and NPs with core-shell architecture, where the T2 ions will be located in the core while the active ions for T1 imaging will be located in the shell. In both cases, phosphate, vanadate and molybdate matrices will be tested, which have been shown to be suitable in the case of T1 or T2 single MRI CAs. In the case of PersL probes, several compounds that have shown excellent luminescence properties in terms of both intensity and persistence duration as bulk materials, will be synthesized as uniform NPs. Specifically, various germanate and gallate matrices doped with lanthanide ions (Pr3+, Yb3+), that emit infrared light within the biological windows, where the radiation is not absorbed by biological tissues or fluids thus improving the penetration depth, will be addressed. Both types of CAs (MRI and PersL CAs) will be submitted to functionalization and bioconjugation processes to provide them with colloidal stability and tumor-specific recognition capabilities. Their biocompatibility will also be tested by studying their cytotoxicity in specific cell lines. Finally, the optimal probes obtained will be applied to MRI and PersL imaging, both in vitro and in vivo, using mice as a model. The research team has extensive experience in the synthesis of lanthanide-based inorganic NPs and has most of the necessary means for their morphological, structural and chemical characterization, as well as for the study of their luminescent properties. In addition, this team has the support of researchers from other institutions who will collaborate in the development of some of the tasks, mainly with regard to bioconjugation, biocompatibility and image recording studies, which guarantees the correct development of the project.
Nanostructured thin films grown by magnetron sputtering deposition with plasmas of Helium and other light gases

Research head: Asunción Fernández Camacho
Period: 01-09-2022 / 31-08-2026
Financial source: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Code: PID2021-124439NB-I00
Research group: María del Carmen Jiménez de Haro
Abstract [+]
Magnetron Sputtering (MS) is a Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) methodology typically used for thin films and coatings fabrication. MS commonly employs Ar or Ar/N2-O2 (reactive MS) mixtures as the process gas to be ionized in a glow discharge to create the adequate plasma to sputter a target material. Among a few laboratories we pioneered the introduction of Helium plasmas in the magnetron sputtering technology. Although the deposition rate may be reduced we demonstrated the formation under controlled conditions of nanoporosity and/or trapped gas (He and N2 nanobubbles) in the produced films. In particular solid-films containing gas filled nanopores have several unique characteristics: They allow a large amount of gas to be trapped in a condensed state with high stability, and will provide a route to tailor the over-all films properties. Magnetron sputtering is easy to scale and much cheaper than alternative technologies based on high energy ion implantation. Building on this, we propose to further develop an innovative and versatile bottom-up methodology to fabricate thin films (e.g. Si, C, other metalloids and metals) promoting open porosity or in the opposite stabilizing trapped nanobubbles of the process gas (He, Ne, N2, H2 and their isotopes).
The methodology will be mainly investigated to fabricate unique solid targets and standards of the trapped gas for nuclear reactions studies. Our work will make light gases and their isotopes available in a condensed state and easy-to-handle format without the need for high pressure cells or cryogenic devices. Together with a network of collaborative researchers from the Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics domain we are aiming to bring this application from proof-of-concept to final experiments in large installations facilities. It is also worth to mention that the control of the process from gas filled to nano-porous structures will open additional applications to be investigated in the project such as optical devices, vacuum-UV emitters or catalytic coatings.
The project will introduce innovative process design and control in our magnetron sputtering chambers to work with the different light weight gases newly proposed. Low gas consumption methodologies will be further implemented for scarce isotopes (e.g. 3He). The final goal is to implement an improved MS experimental set-up and to develop the proposed bottom-up methodology in terms of matrix-gas combinations, gas mixtures, variety of supports (e.g. flexible), and self-supported or multilayer designs looking for the innovative applications. An important task is also to determine the MS film growth mechanism. The plasma characterization during the deposition process and the use of the SRIM simulation tool may strongly contribute to a better understanding and control of the growth processes. To understand the microstructure, composition and physical-chemical properties of the novel materials, a complete microstructural and chemical characterization at the nano-scale will be undertaken with a variety of techniques. Of special mention are the advanced electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) including the Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy and the Ion Beam Analysis techniques for the in-depth elemental composition determination.
Biomass for DEsalination via CApacitive Deionization and Energy Storage, “BioDECADES”

Research head: Joaquín Ramírez Rico
Period: 01-01-2022 / 31-12-2022
Financial source: Junta de Andalucía
Code: US-1380856
Research group: Alfonso Bravo León, Manuel Jiménez Melendo, Julián Martínez Fernández
Abstract [+]
Water resources, global warming and the decline of fossil fuels are three of the main challenges that we as a society will have to address in the next decade. Solutions to these challenges rely on the development of new technologies that allow the efficient use and reuse of water resources, as well as on new, high power and high energy density storage systems to be coupled with renewable sources. These two seemingly unrelated topics currently rely on one technology: carbon adsorbents and electrodes. Both desalination and purification systems as well as supercapacitors and batteries use materials that are based on carbon, their structure modified through physical and/or chemical processes. Biomass is a cheap, widely available precursor for carbon materials, which can be obtained by pyrolysis. Both the choice of biomass as well as the actual process will determine the final properties of the carbon electrode, which can be tailored for targeted applications.
Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging desalination technology with tunable salt removal levels, that uses a small voltage applied across two carbon electrodes to remove ions from solution by means of Electrosorption. The small amount of energy required means that such a system can be powered by a solar panel, making this technology useful in portable and deployable systems. Supercapacitors and batteries also rely on adsorption and/or intercalation mechanisms to store electric charge, in a process that is essentially the same but with a different final target as CDI. Both technologies rely on the use of carbon electrodes, with properties and structure tailored to each of the applications.
This proposal’s main objective is to use biomass residue as a precursor to develop tailored carbon electrodes for electrochemical applications related to energy and environmental technologies, with a focus on two main applications: energy storage in supercapacitor systems and batteries, and desalination via CDI. The main proposed synthesis approach for this electrodes will be the pyrolysis of biomass precursors, with a focus on biomass waste products such as grain husks, peels, pits and stones and other organic waste. In the case of monolithic electrodes, wood and wood-derived fiberboards will be the main focus. Chemical methods will be developed to functionalize the resulting carbons, to improve their capacitance or ion selectivity.
We will build a CDI testing rig to determine desalination behavior, and to correlate this with microscopic information obtained from advanced techniques such as electron microscopy, total scattering diffraction experiments, nitrogen adsorption isotherm, and others. We will test the electrochemical energy storage behavior and correlate it with structural properties and processing conditions. Our goal will be to optimize carbon electrodes derived from biomass for targeted applications, and to develop a menu of biomass derived carbon materials.
New generation of conformal dielectric nanocoatings for emerging electronic devices by plasma technology (PLASMADIELEC)

Research head: Francisco Javier Aparicio Rebollo
Period: 01-01-2022 / 31-05-2023
Financial source: Junta de Andalucía
Code: US-1381057
Research group: Ana Isabel Borras Martos, Ramon Escobar Galindo, Lidia Contreras Bernal
Abstract [+]
Recent advances in nanomaterials and processing techniques are leading to the development of highly miniaturized nanodevices and new functionalities in the field of flexible electronics. The project deals with the development of a new generation of dielectric materials in the form of thin films of nanometric thickness using plasma technology, with the ultimate goal of manufacturing high-performance flexible organic transistors. The proposed plasma deposition methodology is a pioneering technique developed in our laboratory that provides ample control over the dielectric properties and the interaction with liquids of these coatings, as well as allows the conformal deposition on high aspect ratio nanostructures such as nanowires and nanotubes uses in molecular electronics. The proposed plasma technique is fully compatible with the current industrial process used in electronic microdevices and nanocomponent manufacturing. These advantages and the previous results of the proposed plasma technique in the development of photonic materials and sensors support the viability of the project. As a result, PlasmaDielec will establish the bases for the development of new procedures and a new generation of dielectric materials for the future development of flexible electronics.
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