(6gp) Design of Functional Nanomaterials for Energy Applications Using Flow Reactors

Design
of Functional Nanomaterials for Energy Applications Using Flow Reactors

Research Interests: The design of functional
nanoscale materials with predictable physicochemical properties, which can act
as building blocks for the development of efficient and renewable energy
sources, is essential toward environmentally sustainable societies. Semiconducting
nanomaterials, including traditional quantum dots, perovskite nanocrystals,
upconversion and conjugated polymeric nanoparticles, have attracted increasing
attention owing to the unique photo-electroluminescent properties, which make
them ideal candidates for energy, biological and environmental related
applications. In such systems, size, morphology, surface chemistry and
photophysical properties can dramatically alter material functionality. Conventional
flask-based synthetic approaches seem incapable of providing direct answers for
the nucleation and growth mechanisms due to the slow reagent mixing and heat
transfer and at the same time the reproducible synthesis of particles, in a
continuous fashion, with well-controlled properties remains a challenge. My
research aims to tackle these challenges by developing flow-based synthetic and
surface engineering techniques for the end-to-end continuous formation of
complex colloidal semiconducting nanomaterials while combining optical and
structural characterization techniques for the tailor-made design of existing
and novel compositions.

Research
Experience:
To
date, my experimental research has focused on understanding nanocrystal
reaction mechanisms particularly for PbS and PbSe quantum dots while developing
methodologies for the better design of perovskite nanocrystals for their further
implementation in optoelectronic devices. In particular, I have focused on the development and application of high-throughput
segmented-flow, microfluidic platforms with incorporated in-situ optical
detection systems for efficient and fast screening of reaction conditions and a
better understanding of mechanisms governing nanocrystal synthesis. Such automated
microfluidic configurations allowed for a detailed monitoring of nucleation and
growth of various quantum dots on a millisecond time-scale and at high
temperatures. In addition, I have developed real-time detection modalities,
including steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and absorbance
techniques, for the parametric screening and optimization of the synthesis of
all-inorganic and organic-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals aiming for
enhancing their structural and photophysical stability for their further implementation
in optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices. Part of my research work
contributed to the development of multinary perovskite compositions which
exhibited phase- and chemical stability for the fabrication of efficient NIR
nanocrystal-based light emitting diodes.

My postdoctoral
work at MIT revolves around the development of miniature continuous stir-tanked
reactors for the facile multistage synthesis and upscaling of core-shell nanocrystal
morphologies with precise control of their shell thickness. Such reactor
configurations overcome limitations associated with the controlled
multi-addition of reagents in robust devices that can operate at high
temperatures while advancing the continuous and on-demand manufacturing of
colloidal non-toxic III-V based nanostructures. Besides that, my current
research focuses on the development of single-molecule detection modalites, based on solution
photon correlation Fourier spectroscopy, which can be
coupled to flow systems aiming for understanding the nanocrystal photophysics
at the single particle level. Such implementation of single-molecule optics
with flow reactors could
provide unprecedented precision in the synthesis of
existing and novel nanocrystal compositions while shifting the current paradigm
of reaction optimization from ensemble to single-dot level.

Future Research
Directions: Establishing my own research group, I envision to
develop a framework that revolves around three major research areas, addressing
questions of fundamental and practical relevance: (1) Use of flow reaction
systems for the precise formation and mechanistic investigation of quantum
confined nano-heterostructures with distinctive properties, (2) surface engineering/characterization
and purification technologies for the end-to-end production of functionalized nanomaterials,
(3) high-thoughput formation and characterization of semiconducting polymer
nanoparticles. The proposed research will combine concepts from both my Ph.D work
in quantum dot synthesis and postdoctoral work in the development of multistage
synthetic processes and single-molecule characterization.

Teaching
Interests:
During my Ph.D, I served two semesters as a teaching assistant for the
Biomicofluidic Engineering course, while designing a laboratory exercise for
graduate students for the microfluidic synthesis of quantum dots. During the
past five years I have been fortunate to have supervised a number of graduate
and undergraduate students on conducting experimental and analytical work. While
conducting my PhD and postdoctoral work I was the direct supervisor of seven
graduate and two undergraduate students conducting their master and bachelor
theses. After working with all these students in an educational and focused
direction I have come to confirm how working effectively and closely as a team
has a large impact on the quality of research conducted. I am ready to
implement this pedagogical knowledge to teach a range of courses from the chemical
engineering curriculum both at the undergraduate and graduate level, including chemical
reaction engineering, heat and mass transfer and process design. In addition,
my research interests drive me toward the development of advanced classes on
microfluidic engineering and materials characterization techniques.