Research interests
My research focuses on the synthesis, functionalization and applications of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (“quantum dots”) and metal halide perovskites with a special emphasis on the development of toxic heavy metal-free materials. In this context, our novel continuous-flow synthesis facility “C-surf” enables the fast screening of reaction parameters and the highly reproducible precision synthesis of nanoparticles. One of the big challenges in the field of quantum dots is the understanding of the nucleation and growth mechanisms, which govern their size and shape. Other important topics are the precise determination of their surface state as well as the elucidation of the mechanisms governing their luminescence properties. We are developing in situ studies and we are using advanced X-ray diffraction, NMR and photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques to address these questions. In collaboration with colleagues inside and outside CEA I also explore the use of the obtained materials in diverse applications, such as solar cells, photodetectors, photocatalysis, thermoelectricity, LEDs, biological imaging and sensing.


Keywords
Quantum dots, nanomaterials, surface functionalization, photoluminescence, energy conversion, LEDs, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, near infrared, photodetectors, III-V semiconductors, metal halide perovskites.


Short biography
I am currently Deputy Head of the SyMMES unit. Before coming to France, I graduated from University of Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1997 and received my PhD in inorganic chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Dieter Fenske in 2000. After a post-doctoral stay at CEA-Grenoble DRFMC, I was hired as a staff researcher in 2002. In 2008, I obtained my habilitation (HDR) from University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble.


Editorial activities and conference organization
Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports.
Associate Editor for Nanoscale Research Letters and Frontiers in Materials – Energy Materials.
Co-organizer of the biennial conference NaNaX – Nanoscience with Nanocrystals.