Chalcogenides and glasses (ChV)
The work of the ChV thematic group mainly concerns vitreous and amorphous chalcogenides but also glass-ceramics and crystallized ones in which defects have an essential place. ChV’s research activities are based on the three components: the development of materials, their physicochemical characterization to establish structure/property relationships and their valorization for technological applications in the fields of materials for energy, information storage and infrared integrated optics.
Multidimensional crystals and nanostructures with multiple functionality (CNM2)
The CNM2 thematic group is interested in the elaboration and study of the structures and properties of materials developed from theory-experiment relationships. Dimensionality or confinement are particularly used to optimize the physical properties of the systems studied. These materials are characterized by structural and spectroscopic studies in the laboratory (X-ray diffraction, solid state NMR, IR/Raman) and large instruments (synchrotrons, neutron sources) “in-situ” under pressure and / or temperature, thus confronting crystallographic information and dynamic phenomena with the behavior obtained by theoretical calculations. Through the study of the stability of materials and their properties under different conditions, crystals with multiple functionalities, nanomaterials and nanocomposites, the fields of application cover energy (piezoelectric, thermoelectric, magnetic, photonics, heterogeneous catalysis) and sustainable development ((re)valorization of materials and biomass, low-energy lighting).
Oxide materials (OM)
Innovative approaches for synthesis and in situ characterization of inorganic materials with properties ranging from conductive materials (ionic, electronic) to insulators with piezoelectric and/or ferroelectric properties are developed by the MO thematic group. The targeted applications cover different areas of research of the department including the reactivity of non-stoichiometric oxides for catalysis, conversion and energy storage.
Electrochemistry for Energy (ELFE)
The ELFE thematic group builds on expertise developed over the last twenty years on electrochemical storage, electrochemical energy conversion and hydrogen carrier. Its research program is developing on new electrode materials for post-Li ion, surface modifications and “all solid-state” batteries, new protonic or electronic conductive materials for fuel cells, electrolysers and other electrochemical conversion devices, in particular with the aim of eliminating or limiting the use of noble metals. A special effort is made to study and understand the mechanisms at the interfaces in storage and conversion systems.