Scientific Interests
My scientific interests are focused on the optoelectronic studies on sol-gel derived organic/inorganic hybrids without metal activator centres and doped with lanthanide ions, processed as bulk and nanostructured monoliths and thin films. New synthetic methodologies based on sol–gel chemistry and self-assembly routes have been exploited. Recently, I expanded my research interests to crystalline and amorphous nanoparticles of semiconductor and oxide materials functionalized with organic cappings via wet chemical reactions. The surface functionalization aims at control/tune the optical features, foreseeing incorporation in matrices (e.g. organic-inorganic hybrids). I have hands-on experience on the optical (photoluminescence in steady-state, time resolved modes, and quantum yield, as well as UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy) and structural (XRD, SAXS, NMR, Raman, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies) characterization of these materials. I have also expertise on the characterization of waveguiding performance of organic-inorganic hybrids and on spectroscopic ellipsometry, including optimization of modelling algorithms. My research aims at the interpretation of the photophysical behaviour of these materials that is determined by synthesis and processing, foreseeing applications in the fields of optoelectronics and photonics (phosphors, solid-state lighting, and integrated optics) and photovoltaics (luminescent solar concentrators).