Michele Serri

Novel proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and two-dimensional sulfonated niobium disulphide (S-NbS₂) nanoflakes are synthesized and used for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs).

The engineering of the structural and morphological properties of nanomaterials is a fundamental aspect to attain desired performance in energy storage/conversion systems and multifunctional composites. We report the synthesis of room temperature-stable metallic rutile VO₂ (VO₂ (R)) nanosheets by topochemically transforming liquid-phase exfoliated VSe₂ in a reductive Ar–H₂ atmosphere. The as-produced VO₂ (R) represents an example of two-dimensional (2D) nonlayered materials, whose bulk counterparts do not have a layered structure composed by layers held together by van der Waals force or electrostatic forces between charged layers and counterbalancing ions amid them. By pretreating the VSe₂ nanosheets by O₂ plasma, the resulting 2D VO₂ (R) nanosheets exhibit a porous morphology that increases the material specific surface area while introducing defective sites. The as-synthesized porous (holey)-VO₂ (R) nanosheets are investigated as metallic catalysts for the water splitting reactions in both acidic and alkaline media, reaching a maximum mass activity of 972.3 A g^–1 at −0.300 V vs RHE for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ (faradaic efficiency = 100%, overpotential for the HER at 10 mA cm^–2 = 0.184 V) and a mass activity (calculated for a non 100% faradaic efficiency) of 745.9 A g^–1 at +1.580 V vs RHE for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH (overpotential for the OER at 10 mA cm^–2 = 0.209 V). By demonstrating proof-of-concept electrolyzers, our results show the possibility to synthesize special material phases through topochemical conversion of 2D materials for advanced energy-related applications.

Gallium selenide (GaSe), a layered semiconductor of Group‐III monochalcogenides, has been recognized by the scientific community in recent years as an appealing material in the fields of photonics and (opto)electronics. Thanks to its pseudodirect bandgap and its thickness‐dependent (opto)electronic properties, GaSe has emerged as a promising candidate for the implementation of thin‐film transistors (TFTs) and photodetectors with fast response and high sensitivity. Solution processing of 2D materials provides low‐cost inks that allow the design and realization of printed electronic devices, enabling this technology to move from the laboratory to the industry. In this work, a solution‐processed GaSe‐based light‐driven transistor is presented. Liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) is used to exfoliate bulk GaSe in isopropanol, formulating a functional ink that is subsequently deposited by spray coating onto Si/SiO₂ substrates. The GaSe phototransistor exhibits a p‐channel behavior with a high on/off ratio (≈10³) that is gate‐voltage dependent. Moreover, the device response also depends on the illumination with a maximum responsivity of 13 A W^–1 to UV–visible light and a fast response time of 35 ms. This study demonstrates that liquid phase exfoliated GaSe is a promising candidate for the design and realization of next‐generation (opto)electronic devices.

Novel nanocomposite proton-exchange membranes based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and functionalized tantalum disulfide (S-TaS₂) overcome the dichotomy of the properties of SPEEK membranes for direct methanol fuel cells.

Commercialization of lead halide perovskite-based devices is hindered by their instability towards environmental conditions. In particular, water promotes fast decomposition, leading to a drastic decrease in device performance. Integrating water-splitting active species within ancillary layers to the perovskite absorber might be a solution to this, as they could convert incoming water into oxygen and hydrogen, preserving device performance. Here, we suggest that a CuSCN nanoplatelete/p-type semiconducting polymer composite, combining hole extraction and transport properties with water oxidation activity, transforms incoming water molecules and triggers the in situ p-doping of the conjugated polymer, improving transport of photocharges. Insertion of the nanocomposite into a lead perovskite solar cell with a direct photovoltaic architecture causes stable device performance for 28 days in high-moisture conditions. Our findings demonstrate that the engineering of a hole extraction layer with possible water-splitting additives could be a viable strategy to reduce the impact of moisture in perovskite devices.

Magnetic crystals formed by 2D layers interacting by weak van der Waals forces are currently a hot research topic. When these crystals are thinned to nanometric size, they can manifest strikingly different magnetic behavior compared to the bulk form. This can be the result of, for example, quantum electronic confinement effects, the presence of defects, or pinning of the crystallographic structure in metastable phases induced by the exfoliation process. In this work, an investigation of the magnetism of micromechanically cleaved CrCl₃ flakes with thickness >10 nm is performed. These flakes are characterized by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, surface‐sensitive X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism, and spatially resolved magnetic force microscopy. The results highlight an enhancement of the CrCl₃ antiferromagnetic interlayer interaction that appears to be independent of the flake size when the thickness is tens of nanometers. The estimated exchange field is 9 kOe, representing an increase of ≈900% compared to the one of the bulk crystals. This effect can be attributed to the pinning of the high‐temperature monoclinic structure, as recently suggested by polarized Raman spectroscopy investigations in thin (8–35 nm) CrCl₃ flakes.

This chapter is devoted to the use of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques in the characterization of morphologic and magnetic properties of magnetic molecules. Starting from a brief introduction of the different techniques, we focused on the potentialities of these local probe techniques applied to this peculiar class of samples. Key examples and pioneering reports will be described to provide to the reader a critical review of the most recent results obtained on this topic.

Layered semiconductors of the IIIA–VIA group have attracted considerable attention in (opto)electronic applications thanks to their atomically thin structures and their thickness‐dependent optical and electronic properties, which promise ultrafast response and high sensitivity. In particular, 2D indium selenide (InSe) has emerged as a promising candidate for the realization of thin‐film field effect transistors and phototransistors due to its high intrinsic mobility (>10² cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹) and the direct optical transitions in an energy range suitable for visible and near‐infrared light detection. A key requirement for the exploitation of large‐scale (opto)electronic applications relies on the development of low‐cost and industrially relevant 2D material production processes, such as liquid phase exfoliation, combined with the availability of high‐throughput device fabrication methods. Here, a β polymorph of indium selenide (β‐InSe) is exfoliated in isopropanol and spray‐coated InSe‐based photodetectors are demonstrated, exhibiting high responsivity to visible light (maximum value of 274 A W⁻¹ under blue excitation 455 nm) and fast response time (15 ms). The devices show a gate‐dependent conduction with an n‐channel transistor behavior. Overall, this study establishes that liquid phase exfoliated β‐InSe is a valid candidate for printed high‐performance photodetectors, which is critical for the development of industrial‐scale 2D material‐based optoelectronic devices.