Simone Melesi
PhD thesis title: Production and characterization of electrospun polymeric smart nanocomposites based on 1D linear carbon chains
Academic Tutor: Valeria Russo
Academic Supervisor: Carlo Spartaco Casari and Chiara Castiglioni
PhD cycle: 37° (see all student profiles of the same cycle > LINK)
BSc: Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Politecnico di Milano
MSc: Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Politecnico di Milano
Thesis abstract
Carbynes are 1D linear chains made only of sp-hybridized carbon atoms that possess one of the best-ever calculated mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties that can be modified by simply controlling the structure of these molecules. Thus, carbynes are the ideal candidates for developing new tunable devices but, since their high instability, they are not ready yet for industrial application. In this context, my purpose is to use electrospinning as an innovative and highly efficient technique to immobilize and stabilize carbynes inside polymeric nanofibers that will play a key role in the development of prototypes for energy applications.
Personal interest in my research theme
I started this adventure in the field of nano-carbons because I was fascinated by “nano-stuffs” since the first days of my bachelor’s. In particular, the most exciting part of my research on carbynes is the fact that we are just at the beginning of the exploration of these incredible materials. Sometimes this could be problematic because you are facing problems that were never experienced by anyone else but, at the same time, this is a great opportunity to contribute (maybe in a very small way) to better understand these materials that I am convinced will be essentials in the next years.
