The Functional Nanomaterials Group develops nanomaterials, their processing strategies, and energy conversion and storage devices based on them. We are particularly developing solution-based routes for the production of carbon-based materials from biomass, metal alloys, chalcogenides, carbides, and oxides for thermoelectric energy conversion, biomass-derived product valorization, supercapacitors, Na-ion, K-ion, metal-air, and Li/Na-sulfur batteries.
- Nanostructured materials for electrocatalytic conversion of biomassderived chemicals.
- Nanostructured materials for oxygen reactions and as air cathodes in metalair batteries.
- Nanostructured materials as sulfur hosts in metal-sulfur batteries.
- Nanostructured anode and cathode for Zn, Na, Li, and Mg ion batteries.
Highlighted 2023
Highlighted News and Results
Researchers at the Functional Nanomaterials group from IREC have enhanced the performance of the thermoelectric material called AgSbSe2 (silver antimony selenide) through an innovative synthesis process and surface chemistry modifications. By doping it with tin, they improved its efficiency for applications like waste heat recovery and cooling systems, supporting energy efficiency and sustainability goals. These findings could lead to further developments in similar materials. News link.
The IREC’s Functional Nanomaterials group has achieved a major advancement in sodium-sulfur battery technology, led by Prof. Andreu Cabot. Published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, the study showcases a new sodium-sulfur battery component enhanced by a CoFe₂O₄ catalytic additive and an external magnetic field. This innovation overcomes key limitations, such as slow reaction rates and energy loss, by improving stability and efficiency at room temperature. The breakthrough, developed in collaboration with Lanzhou University, could transform energy storage for renewable systems and smart devices, advancing sustainability and performance across applications. News link.
IREC’s Functional Nanomaterials research group, in collaboration with the Harbin Institute of Technology, have created a new zinc-ion battery that is eco-friendly and ideal for flexible electronics. This battery features an advanced cathode made from graphene-coated particles, enhancing efficiency. A new high-precision printing method allows for smaller, flexible designs, demonstrated by their integration into a touch-controlled LED system. This development could significantly impact sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicles. For further details, you can read the website article here.
Researchers in the Functional Nanomaterials group, led by Prof. Andreu Cabot, from the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), have developed a new type of supercapacitor using ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), as described in the journal Advanced Materials. This innovative approach, using ammonium instead of lithium ions, offers a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for energy storage. Their ammonium-ion supercapacitors demonstrate higher energy density, enabling greater energy storage in the same space. This technology holds promise for applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, potentially enhancing storage capacity and extending use times. News link.
Ohter highlighted achievements in 2023
- Highly efficient high-entropy alloy catalysts as air cathodes in Zn-air batteries.
- Development of an ultrafast 3D printing technology based on electrohydrodynamic jet.