Doctoral thesis in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology at ICMM-CSIC highlighted by Carbon

Ana Barra's doctoral thesis in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, defended at the University of Aveiro (Portugal), received a special mention of merit in the area of science and technology of carbon materials from the scientific journal Carbon. The study led to the development of carbon nanostructures using natural precursors and more sustainable methods, which were applied in the preparation of composite materials with adsorption, electrical conductivity and magnetism properties.

Part of the work carried out for the doctoral thesis Functional composite materials based on chitosan containing carbon nanostructures took place at the Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), where the European doctorate was awarded. The thesis, defended at the end of January 2024, was awarded the distinction that the journal gives annually in the area of carbon material science and technology to studies that achieve outstanding results: "Recognition of an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in carbon material science and technology".

The main objectives of the thesis were the development of carbon nanostructures using natural precursors and more sustainable methods than conventional ones, and their application in functional biopolymeric materials. The main conclusions show that it is possible to obtain materials with adsorption, electrical conductivity and magnetism properties using this approach. The potential of these materials to remove pollutants from water and to treat cancer cells has also been proven.

The work presents several innovations. On the one hand, it introduces more sustainable synthesis methods for the production of carbon nanomaterials. On the other hand, it demonstrates the feasibility of creating multifunctional and versatile materials, such as films, foams and coatings, with proven applications in the environmental and biomedical fields. The development of materials that combine ecological and functional methods contributes to the creation of innovative and sustainable technologies.

The thesis supervisors were Paula Ferreira (UAveiro), Cláudia Nunes (UAveiro), both researchers at the Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, and Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky, a research professor at ICMM-CSIC.

Additional information:

Although the distinction was awarded to the thesis, there are two scientific articles related to the thesis published in the journal "Carbon": https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118767; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119691