Decoding Materials Atom-by-Atom
Exploring 2D Materials, In Situ TEM, and the Frontier of Electron-Driven Innovation
I am a scientist specialized in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and 2D nanomaterials, with a recognized research career spanning Brazil, Germany, China, the Netherlands, and more recently France. My passion lies in exploring and manipulating fundamental properties of materials at the atomic scale, enabling transformative advancements in materials science and nanotechnology.
Research Vision
Leading a research group at the intersection of in situ TEM, electron beam engineering, and 2D materials, I envision to contribute in:
- Atom-by-atom synthesis, characterization, and manipulation of 2D materials within a TEM.
- Pioneering in situ gas-phase experiments to unlock new growth and characterization avenues of 2D materials atom-by-atom.
- Structure-property relationships: tune defects and different polymorphism of the 2D nanometallenes for specific functionalities, overcoming the barrier for future industrial 2D-based applications (e.g., ultra-high catalytic activity, highly-efficient nanoelectronics, and superior energy storage and conversion).
Career Highlights
- Tenure-Track Appointment: I recently secured a position as a researcher at CNRS/ICMN in France (2023), supported by a €200k starting research grant.
- TEM Expertise: I have extensive experience with aberration-corrected and in situ TEM techniques, focusing on unraveling atomic-level dynamics in complex materials.
- Global Research Experience: My journey has allowed me to work across five countries, building interdisciplinary expertise and strong international collaborations.
Key Contributions
- Metallenes Research: My recent work focuses on the in situ growth of 2D metal nanostructures (metallenes), expanding the possibilities of metallene applications.
- Industrial Applications: My collaboration with Shell involved atomic-resolution TEM characterization of 2D hydrotreating catalysts, highlighting the industrial potential of supported 2D nanomaterials.
- Graphene Coating and Transfer: During my PhD, I developed an in situ method for graphitizing oleic acid to synthesize few-layer graphene coatings, a pivotal step in 2D material processing.
- MXene Discoveries: I explored the electron-beam degradation of MXene monolayers, which unexpectedly led to the discovery of two novel nanomaterials.
- 2D Carbon Nitride: I advanced understanding of electron-sensitive 2D carbon nitride, demonstrating how TEM at variable voltages can achieve local compositional control.
Academic Achievements
- Impactful Publications: I have authored or co-authored over 75 publications, surpassing 5,000 citations and an h-index of 31 (updated January 2025)
- Recognized Expertise: I have been invited to present my research on electron-beam-driven synthesis and imaging of 2D materials at international conferences and workshops.