National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

Atomic Structures and Defects in Advanced Materials (LASDAM)

Our research is mainly directed towards the investigation and manipulation of physical properties at nanometric and atomic scale for the development of new materials (dielectrics, semiconductors, alloys, ceramics) for applications in the semiconductor industry (gas sensors, optical sensors, memories, radiation detectors), telecommunications, energy conversion, health and environment.

We use modern physical and chemical methods for nanomaterials synthesis, thin film deposition and device manufacturing, and we apply advanced techniques for the in-depth characterization of the microstructural, optical, electronic and magnetic properties of the created materials and devices.

Our laboratory acts as Partner Facility within the CERIC-ERIC European consortium, offering Open Access to state-of-the-art instrumentation to academic or industrial users worldwide, by semesterly calls.

Approached systems and topics:

  • Thin films and multilayered structures based on SiGeSn nanoparticles embedded in dielectric matrices (HfO2, ZrO2, SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Si3N4) for SWIR photodetectors and non-volatile memories;
  • 2D transition metal dichalcogenides materials and heterojunctions with electro-optic properties for health and environment applications;
  • Metal oxides for gas sensing, photocatalysis, batteries, biomedical and environment-related applications;
  • Investigation of atomic structures, interfaces, phase transitions, extended and point defects by microstructural (HRTEM, XRD), spectroscopic (EPR, EELS) and optical methods for structure-functionality correlations in advanced materials (nanoparticles, thin films, ceramics and special alloys).

Techniques and expertise available for materials synthesis, processing and characterization:

  • Analytical Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy – open access via CERIC-ERIC.
  • Multifrequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy - open access via CERIC-ERIC.
  • X-ray diffraction (XRD) on powder and thin film samples
  • Complex electrical measurements in variable conditions: under controlled gas atmosphere, in dark or under illumination, Hall effect measurements and modelling of experimental curves;
  • Optical spectroscopy.
  • Magnetron sputtering deposition of thin films and multilayers;
  • Rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and controlled oxidations (RTO);

Preparation of nanocrystalline materials by co-precipitation, solvothermal method and high energy ball milling.


Latest Publications

Surface properties, chemical reactivity, and ambient stability of cadmium diarsenide CdAs2, a topological chiral material hosting Kramers-Weyl fermions
Authors: Zhang, YX; D'Olimpio, G; Bondino, F; Nappini, S; Istrate, MC; Sankar, R; Ghica, C; Ottaviano, L; Gao, JF; Politano, A

Published: JUL 15 2023, APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 625, 157132, DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157132

A comparative overview of MXenes and metal oxides as cocatalysts in clean energy production through photocatalysis
Authors: Nair, MM; Iacoban, AC; Neatu, F; Florea, M; Neatu, S

Published: JUN 20 2023, JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, 11, DOI: 10.1039/d2ta08983a

Solution-processed In2Se3 nanosheets for ultrasensitive and highly selective NO2 gas sensors
Authors: D'Olimpio, G; Galstyan, V; Ghica, C; Vorokhta, M; Istrate, MC; Kuo, CN; Lue, CS; Boukhvalov, DW; Comini, E; Politano, A

Published: JUN 13 2023, JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, 11, DOI: 10.1039/d3ta01390a

Phytochemical Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Investigation on Cotton and Wool Textiles
Authors: Lite, MC; Constantinescu, R; Tanasescu, EC; Kuncser, A; Romanitan, C; Mihaiescu, DE; Lacatusu, I; Badea, N

Published: MAY 24 2023, MATERIALS, 16, 3924, DOI: 10.3390/ma16113924

Titania nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ethanol under simulated solar light
Authors: Goncearenco, E; Morjan, IP; Fleaca, CT; Dumitrache, F; Dutu, E; Scarisoreanu, M; Teodorescu, VS; Sandulescu, A; Anastasescu, C; Balint, I

Published: MAY 22 2023, BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, 14, DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.14.51


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