Bachelor’s Theses
Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) Anodes from Sustainable Precursors for Li/Na-Ion Batteries
The thesis will focus on the synthesis and characterization of laser-induced graphene (LIG) from sustainable carbon-based precursors, such as cellulose, for the development of lithium- and sodium-ion battery anodes. The activity will include the optimization of LIG production via laser irradiation, structural and morphological characterization, using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as electrochemical investigations through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study charge storage mechanisms and electrode kinetics. The aim is to explore LIG as a viable approach for future sustainable energy storage technologies.
Study of low environmental impact biochar-based supercapacitors
The thesis will focus on the development of low-impact, biocompatible solid-state supercapacitors using sustainable carbon-based materials and natural polymer electrolytes. Activated and super-activated carbons derived from agricultural biochar produced via optimized chemical activation will serve as high-surface-area electrodes, while gel polymer electrolytes based on pectin, a plant-derived biopolymer, will enable the fabrication of fully solid-state devices. The goal is to design energy storage systems that are environmentally friendly, safe, and suitable for applications in wearable electronics, biomedical devices, and green energy harvesting.
Flexible sensors based on laser-induced graphene for wearable and IoT applications (internship at Carbonhub Srl)
This internship at Carbonhub Srl, a research spin-off of the University of Parma, offers the opportunity to explore the development of flexible sensors based on Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG). Using laser processing techniques, conductive graphene structures can be patterned directly onto polymer substrates, enabling the fabrication of lightweight, low-cost, and scalable devices. The project will focus on the realization and basic testing of physical (e.g., strain or temperature) or electrochemical (e.g., biosensor) devices for applications in wearable electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT). This experience will allow the student to gain familiarity with LIG-based technologies and develop practical skills relevant to innovation-driven companies.
Master Theses
Sodium-ion batteries with biomass-derived hard carbon anodes and advanced cathodes
The growing demand for sustainable, safe, and low-cost energy storage systems has accelerated global interest in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology. This thesis project proposes the development of full sodium-ion battery cells based on hard carbon anodes derived from vegetal waste, with a primary focus on the synthesis, optimization, and evaluation of advanced cathode materials. Layered transition metal oxides (such as NaNi₀.₅Mn₀.₅O₂), olivine-type polyanionic compounds (e.g., NaFePO₄), and Prussian Blue Analogues (e.g., NaFe[Fe(CN)₆]) will be explored and compared as cathode candidates in terms of electrochemical performance, cost, and compatibility with biomass-derived anodes. To enhance the electronic conductivity and cycling stability of the cathode materials, the study will incorporate carbon nanostructures such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to create hybrid composite electrodes. Each class of cathode will be synthesized via appropriate routes (solid-state, sol-gel, or aqueous precipitation), characterized using structural and morphological techniques (XRD, SEM, Raman, BET, etc.), and tested in half- and full-cell configurations. The goal is to identify a cathode architecture that provides a stable, high-performance, and sustainable sodium-ion battery when paired with eco-friendly hard carbon anodes, contributing to the future of low-impact energy storage.
Novel room temperature solid fast-ion conductors based on carbon nanostructures
The extensive use of electrochemical energy accumulators in electronic devices and, in the near future, even on a large scale inside vehicles, poses serious safety problems. In fact, Li-ion batteries, which today represent the “state of the art” in this sector, still operate almost exclusively with liquid organic electrolytes, making these devices dangerous if short-circuited or damaged. Switching to the use of solid electrolytes would make batteries much safer, especially if one considers their use in the field of transport (EV). However, there are still no materials able to offer the necessary mechanical characteristics and good ionic conductivity to be used in devices that are competitive with those on the market. The research activity of the last few years of the Nanocarbon Laboratory at the University of Parma has shown how some fullerene based compounds and its derivatives behave as excellent Li ionic conductors already at room temperature, therefore potentially suitable for developing innovative electrolytes at solid state. The experimental thesis activity will be carried out at the Nanocarbon Laboratory and will consist in the synthesis of new materials based on carbon nanostructures, in particular fullerene derivatives, capable of showing significant ionic conductivity already at room temperature. The most promising materials will then be tested inside all-solid-state battery prototypes, to evaluate their electrochemical performance.
Graphene-based Li/Na-ion hybrid supercapacitors
The master’s thesis will focus on the development of Li-ion and Na-ion hybrid supercapacitors based on sustainable carbon materials. Positive electrodes will include high-rate graphene-based materials such as thermally exfoliated graphene and laser-induced graphene (LIG), while negative electrodes will be based on activated carbons derived from biomass residues. Carbon precursors such as Cucumis melo L. or Asparagus waste have shown promising features, yielding porous structures with high surface area and oxygen-containing groups that improve electrochemical performance.Particular attention will be given to the development and testing of solid-state and quasi-solid-state electrolytes, including gel polymer electrolytes and ionic liquids (EMITf-based ionic liquids doped with Li or Na salts), which has demonstrated good ionic conductivity (~3.3 × 10⁻³ S/cm) and electrochemical stability. These systems aim to enable safe operation at high voltages (up to ~3.9 V) and to deliver energy densities in the range of 50–80 Wh/kg.
The experimental work will involve materials synthesis and modification, electrode fabrication, cell assembly, and extensive electrochemical testing (CV, GCD, EIS). The overall goal is to assess the potential of these hybrid systems as low-impact, high-performance energy storage devices for next-generation applications.
Nano-porous carbon for hydrogen storage applications for the automotive industry (in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry of Pavia)
The massive use of fossil fuels for energy production is causing epochal problems related to the pollution of our planet, global warming and energy sustainability. A possible solution must derive from the conversion to renewable sources and the use of non-polluting fuels. Hydrogen is a highly efficient energy carrier (three times more energy than gasoline for the same weight), widely available in nature, whose combustion does not produce greenhouse gases and can be directly converted into electricity with high efficiency. However, the transition to a “hydrogen-based economy” is still impeded, especially by the difficulties of efficiently storing this gas. One of the most promising methods is solid state hydrogen storage. Carbon nanostructures are among the most promising systems, because they are intrinsically cheap and biocompatible, characterized by hyerarchical porosity that allows them to adsorb significant quantities of hydrogen already at low working pressures, albeit also at very low temperatures (T = 77 K). Optimizing the binding energy with which the hydrogen molecule binds to carbon (bringing it to the 10-50 kJ/mol regime) would allow the practical application of these systems. The proposed thesis work, of an experimental nature, will consist in the synthesis of new materials with hierarchical porosity (micro- and meso-porosity) obtained starting from vegetable carbon (the so-called biochar) and/or through the use of templates, whose very high expected surface area (over 3000 m²/g) will allow the storage of large quantities of hydrogen. The absorption energy will be optimized through the functionalization of the materials with metallic nanoparticles.
Optimization and applications of Laser-Induced Graphene for flexible sensors in wearable and IoT technologies (internship at Carbonhub Srl)
This master’s thesis project, in collaboration with Carbonhub Srl, a research spin-off of the University of Parma—focuses on the development and characterization of flexible sensors based on Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) for wearable electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. LIG offers a scalable and cost-effective approach to directly fabricate conductive graphene structures on polymeric substrates through localized laser conversion. The project will involve the fabrication and testing of physical (e.g., strain, thermal) and electrochemical (e.g., biosensing) devices, with emphasis on flexibility, mechanical robustness, and long-term performance under repeated use. Integration into simple wearable platforms and preliminary application-oriented testing will also be explored. A significant part of the thesis will be dedicated to the optimization of the LIG production process by comparing different laser sources, such as blue diode lasers and CO₂ lasers, in terms of resolution, conductivity, porosity, and microstructure of the resulting graphene. The influence of laser parameters (wavelength, power, scan speed, pulse duration) on the quality of the LIG and its suitability for sensing applications will be systematically investigated. The goal is to identify optimal process windows for targeted sensor performance, combining materials science, device engineering, and hands-on prototyping in a real R&D environment.