Layered Alkali-Copper Selenides: Deciphering Thermoelectric Properties and Reaction Pathways for Nanostructuring β-CsCu5Se3 Copper chalcogenides offer high charge mobility and low lattice thermal conductivity but suffer from structural instability due to dynamic Cu+ migration. Here, we report a colloidal hot-injection synt...

Just out in @acs.org ACS Energy Letters. A wonderful collaboration with Alex Ganose Andreu Cabot and Maria Ibáñez group!! Research supported by @researchireland.ie and @ambercentre.bsky.social
@unioflimerick.bsky.social
Well done Niraj!
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Mechanistic Insights and Strategic Assembly of Tailored Novel Oxide‐Phosphide Heterostructure Nanocrystals Nanopopcorns: A facile, one-pot, self-regulated seed-mediated approach for the synthesis of heteronanocrystals has been developed. The mechanistic insights elucidated in this work offer a foundationa...

New Publication from our group in Wiley Small Structures on the coolest hetero-nanostructures 😊
Well done Niraj. Funded by @researchireland.ie and
@ambercentre.bsky.social
#OpenAccess
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

a close up of a cartoon character with long hair ALT: a close up of a cartoon character with long hair

Watched twice in the past week so you can do the maths 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️
#Moanaonloop

Ligand-Assisted Colloidal Synthesis of Alkali Metal-Based Ternary Chalcogenide: Nanostructuring and Phase Control in Na–Cu–S System The development of sustainable and tunable materials is crucial for advancing modern technologies. We present a controlled synthesis of colloidal Na–Cu–S nanostructures. To overcome the reactivity difference between Na and Cu precursors toward chalcogens in a colloidal synthesis and to achieve metastable phase formation, we designed a single-source precursor for Cu and S. The decomposition of this precursor creates a Cu–S template into which Na ions diffuse to form metastable Na–Cu–S. By leveraging the reactivity of sulfur precursors, we synthesized Na3Cu4S4 (orthorhombic) and Na2Cu4S3 (monoclinic) nanocrystals with distinct properties. A mechanistic investigation reveals a predictive pathway previously unobserved in alkali-metal-based ternary chalcogenide systems. Further, computational DFT calculations demonstrate that Na3Cu4S4 exhibits metallic characteristics while Na2Cu4S3 is semiconducting, with an optimal band gap for photovoltaic applications. This research advances our understanding of ternary chalcogenide systems and establishes a framework for the rational design of complex nanomaterials.

Check out our latest article in Nano Letters on new alkali metal based chalcogenide Na-Cu-S (Synthesis via colloidal chemistry & insights into properties).
@pubs.acs.org
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Lately I have started loving jigsaws- thanks to my very competitive toddler 😀
My lovely group gifted me this 100 piece puzzle in the Christmas hamper 🥰🥰 This is the most beautiful picture of @unioflimerick.bsky.social !!! My new lunch time pass time.

Happy to be part of this amazing series of Women Scientists at the Forefront of Energy Research 2024 🙂

Elevator selfie with my academic children after an intense group meeting.
First long meeting for the newbies.
#endoftheyearmadness
#brainstormingsessions
#firstpost

It's a really good move.

Thanks ☺️