Our research activity focuses on the development of advanced functional materials and processes for a sustainable development. In particular we are interested in energy production (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells), renewable fuel production (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells – SOECS – sustainable processes for production of fuels from wastes) and pollutants abatement.

Renewable Energy Production: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, SOFCs

We believe that SOFCs are an advanced device for sustainable energy production.
SOFCs are electrochemical devices capable of converting the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy. Usually fuel in FCs is hydrogen that is converted in water with the production of electricity. SOFCs are oxide based devices operating at high temperature (about 800-1000°C). Among Fuel Cells (FCs), SOFCs are particularly interesting because: i) can be fed with different fuels; ii) no precious metals are necessary as active materials in the electrodes.

Our efforts in SOFCs research are focussed on:
1. development of advanced electrodes capable of operating at intermediate temperatures (500-700°C)
2. development of mixed ionic/electronic conductive oxides to enhance the SOFCs' performance.
3. development of advanced oxide-based anodes capable of operating with waste-derived fuels (biogas, bioethanol, as an example).
4. development of Single Chamber Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Renewable Energy Production: CO₂ reduction

Another reaction we are interested in is the carbon dioxide reduction to methanol or methane in order to convert carbon dioxide from poison to resource. Discontinuous renewable sources, such as wind and solar, call for effective energy storage technologies. Here we aim at studying a particular high temperature co-electrolysis process (Solid Oxides Co-Electrolysis) to convert CO₂ and H₂O into syngas (i.e. CO and H₂), which can be used as fuels or further processed to produce higher hydrocarbon fuels. This process combines the chemical storage opportunity to the capturing and reuse of CO₂, considered the major greenhouse gas. Compared to the traditional syngas production from coal gasification or steam reforming of natural gas, the solid oxide co-electrolysis method (SOECs) does not consume fossil fuels and can electrochemically reuse CO₂ instead of emitting it. At the same time, discontinuous and high transport-cost electricity can be stored in chemical form, i.e. with the highest mass density.

Renewable Energy Production: Fuel from Wastes

Our aim in this research field is in developing new oxide based catalysts to improve catalytic performance in several sustainable processes for hydrogen production. Among the processes we are interested on, the following deserve to be mentioned: steam reforming (alcohols, hydrocarbons), oxidative steam reforming, dry reforming, partial oxidation of methane. In particular we are interested in development and optimization of catalysts capable of enhancing the fuel production starting from wastes (biogas, as an example).

Pollutants' Abatement

Air quality has improved over the past decade, but there are still significant air quality problems, especially in urban and in densely populated areas. According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution (mainly CO, CO₂ and NO_x) has decreased the average life expectancy of Europeans by nearly a year. On the other hand, small suspended particles have been identified as the greatest health risk, penetrating deep into the lungs and being absorbed into the blood, causing a range of illnesses and in some cases death. The World Health Organisation recently confirmed that air pollution causes cancer. Our aim in this research field is in developing catalysts active against pollutants. We are particularly devoted to the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and in the reduction of nitrogen oxides. To this purpose we are involved in a European Project for the development of Three Way Catalysts, TWCs for the development of new active materials characterized by low content of platinum group metals.

Materials: synthesis and characterization

The materials we are interested in are oxides, perovskite based oxides in particular. Perovskitic oxides are versatile materials capable of standing significant deformations and to host 90% of cations of the periodic table. Thanks to these properties several perovskite based advanced materials characterized by interesting chemical and physical properties can be obtained: from catalyst to ionic and/or electronic to magnetic materials.
Perovskites are usually chemically and physically stable materials characterized by low economic and environmental impact. In particular one of our aim is in producing functional materials free of Critical Raw Materials (Precious Metals, as an example).
The preparation procedure are always optimized taking into consideration the possibility of an industrial scale up. Wet chemistry procedures are preferred always choosing water as solvent.
Our skill is in development of new advanced perovskites characterized by the required properties (reactivity, conductivity, etc.) by means of specific doping and formulations but also building nanoscale composites in which the properties of different phases are added to the final material.
Our activity also considers the optimization of the preparation procedures which is carried out on the basis of their environmental and economic sustainability and also considering the industrial scale-up. The preparation procedure we are specialized on are wet chemistry procedures because by means of these methods it is possible to prepare homogeneous perovskitic phases also at rather low calcination temperature and without complex instrumental requirements.
The prepared materials are accurately characterized and the functional behaviour investigated in order to optimize the compositions and the preparation procedure.