PPE goals mainly deal with topics related to 1) energy from renewable sources, energy storage and chemical processes, and 2) new products based on natural and synthetic polymers and respective production processes, including composites based on forest-related products. Energy and Forest topics are aligned with national priorities defined within Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3).

Major research topics

Harvesting sunlight and energy storage: Development of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC); perovskite solar cells (PSC); solar photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) for water splitting; solar redox flow cells; electro- and photoelectrochemical solar fuels and solar photoelectrodyalisis desalination. Study and development of all-vanadium and polyoximetalates redox flow stacks. Energy autonomous buildings. Energy sustainability indicators.
Fuel cells and fuels: Development of energy-integrated High temperature PEMFC (HT-PEMFC, 140 °C – 200 °C) and Intermediate temperature PEMFC (IT-PEMFC, 200 °C – 300 °C) and low/intermediate temperature methanol steam reforming cells (200 °C – 250 °C); development of high-activity catalysts. Low temperature, extremely high stability catalytic methane decompostion/pyrolysis. Optimization of membrane and adsorption gas separation processes and materials for energy-related separations.
Forest-related products: Development of new lignocellulosic composites for uses in furniture industry, incorporating agro-industrial wastes.
Polymer materials and products: Development of adhesives, coatings and surfaces with new functionalities and improved performance, for industrial and consumer applications, based on synthetic and natural polymers.
Graphene-based materials: Development of graphene-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites for use in medical therapy and in biomaterials.
Natural resources process-based: development of value-chain processes to improve the exploitability of natural resources, including life cycle assessment analyses

Contacts and Directions