My research focuses on nanomaterials and nanotechnology, in particular on the electrochemical synthesis of low-dimensional nanostructures through template-assisted and template-free approaches, and on their use in electronic, optoelectronic and energy devices: photovoltaic cells, thermoelectric elements, sensors and biosensors, magnetic and spintronic devices, microbatteries and micro-supercapacitors. At the Faculty of Physics of the University of Bucharest, I teach in all three study cycles, from “Electricity and Magnetism” in the first year of the bachelor’s program to nanotechnology and nanostructured devices at master’s and doctoral level. This page presents my current research directions, the expertise behind them, and the courses I teach.
Nanostructured materials for electronics and optoelectronics
Electrochemical synthesis and physical deposition of nanostructured materials, ranging from thin films and quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures to complex nanowire arrays and interconnected networks, fabricated through template-assisted and template-free approaches. Investigation of their morphological, structural, optical, electrical and magnetic properties, with a focus on their integration as functional building blocks in electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Nanowire networks for flexible thermoelectrics
Template-assisted electrodeposition of three-dimensional interconnected nanowire networks composed of Bi and Bi-based alloys, with a focus on investigating the influence of nanowire diameter, chemical composition and thermal annealing on their electrical and thermoelectric properties, toward the development of flexible thermoelectric devices for waste heat harvesting in both longitudinal and transverse configurations.
Thin films and heterojunctions for photovoltaics
Preparation and characterization of AII–BVI semiconductor thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering and investigation of their heterojunctions for thin-film solar cells. Development and characterization of organic and hybrid bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on polymer blends and ternary systems incorporating fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors, with particular emphasis on the influence of nanopatterned substrates and back-contact electrodes on their photovoltaic performance.
Sensors and biosensors for chemical and biological detection
Development and characterization of optical, chemiresistive and capacitive sensors and biosensors, including portable fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) devices for the rapid and sensitive detection of environmental contaminants and chemical analytes, such as pesticides, heavy metal ions, nitrophenols and ethanol, as well as biomolecules such as cortisol. Investigation of room-temperature chemiresistive gas sensors and capacitive sensing devices based on polyaniline, reduced graphene oxide and other nanostructured materials for the detection of ammonia, methane and hydrogen, as well as pH monitoring, with particular emphasis on enhancing their sensing performance through controlled nanostructuring.
Research expertise
Nanowires and nanotubes
Growth by template-assisted and template-free approaches, including ordered localized arrays and patterns
Nanoporous alumina templates
Supported and self-supported aluminum oxide (alumina) templates with tunable geometry and scaling-up of the anodization process toward mass production
Nanostructured chalcogenide thin films
AII–BVI chalcogenides prepared by RF sputtering and electrodeposition, for photovoltaic, thermoelectric and sensing applications
Polymeric nanomaterials
Synthesis and characterization of organic polymeric nanomaterials with sensing properties
Nanostructured opto-/electronic devices
Development and characterization of devices based on nanostructured organic and inorganic materials
Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
Development, characterization and integration of pH sensors and enzymatic biosensors
Experimental skills accumulated over more than 20 years of research at five European universities and research institutes: the University of Bucharest (Romania), the Polytechnic University of Bucharest (Romania), Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), the INFN Frascati National Laboratories (Italy) and UCLouvain (Belgium).
Cleanroom processes
Silicon wafer handling, cleaning and thermal oxidation (dry and wet)
Optical lithography and nanoimprint lithography
Electron-beam and AFM nanolithography (nano-indentation, local anodic oxidation)
PVD: thermal and electron-beam evaporation, DC/RF (magnetron) sputtering
CVD: plasma-enhanced and low-pressure CVD
Wet and dry etching, isotropic and anisotropic
Electro-/chemical processes
Electropolishing
Electrochemical oxidation (anodization)
Electrochemical deposition (electroplating)
Electroless and autocatalytic deposition
Chemo-mechanical polishing of nanomaterials
Morphological, structural and optical characterization
Ellipsometry, profilometry and optical microscopy
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, STEM, TEM)
At the Faculty of Physics of the University of Bucharest, I teach in all three study cycles (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral) and I am involved in every form of teaching: lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals. My courses range from fundamental physics, such as “Electricity and Magnetism” in the first year, to specialized topics in nanotechnology, sensors and nanostructured devices, closely linked to my research. They are listed below by study level and year, with the study program, the teaching format and language, and a short description.
Bachelor’s studies (B.Sc.) 4
Year 1Lecture · SeminarTaught in English
Electricity and Magnetism
Physics (EN)
Electrostatics, electric currents and circuits, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction and Maxwell’s equations, with applications.
Year 3Lecture · Seminar · PracticalsTaught in Romanian & English
Introduction to Nanotechnologies
Physics (EN), Physics (RO), Technological physics
Fundamentals of nanoscience and nanotechnology: size effects, the main classes of nanomaterials, top-down and bottom-up fabrication approaches, and applications.
Year 3Lecture · Seminar · PracticalsTaught in Romanian
Industrial Sensors
Robotics
Operating principles, characteristics and signal conditioning of the sensors used in industry: temperature, pressure, position, flow, gas and optical sensors.
Year 4Lecture · Seminar · PracticalsTaught in Romanian
Preparation and Characterization Techniques at the Nanoscale
Technological physics
Physical and chemical methods for preparing nanomaterials (vacuum deposition, electrochemistry, lithography) and their characterization by electron and scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy.
Master’s studies (M.Sc.) 1
Year 2Lecture · Seminar · PracticalsTaught in English
Nanostructures for Electronics and Optoelectronics
Physics of Advanced Materials and Nanostructures (PAMN)
Low-dimensional nanostructures, their electronic and optical properties, and their use in transistors, photodetectors, solar cells, light-emitting devices and memories.
Doctoral studies (Ph.D.) 2
Year 1Lecture moduleTaught in Romanian & English
“Bottom-up” growth methods for 2D-confined nanostructures, employing direct or template-assisted electrochemical synthesis processes
Physics of Condensed Matter
Module of “Theoretical and Experimental Physics I”
Electrochemical growth of nanostructures confined in two dimensions, such as nanowires and nanotubes, by direct and template-assisted deposition: nucleation and growth mechanisms, templates, process control and characterization.
Year 1Lecture moduleTaught in Romanian & English
Arrays and localized configurations of quasi-1D nanostructures for sensing applications
Physics of Condensed Matter
Module of “Theoretical and Experimental Physics II”
Ordered arrays and localized configurations of quasi-1D nanostructures: fabrication, integration on electrodes and chips, and their use in electrochemical, optical and gas sensors.
Main laboratory practicals
In most laboratory practicals, students work with the research infrastructure of the MDEO Center, which is fully detailed on the MDEO website and shown in a video presentation that I contributed to. The setups presented below are among the most commonly used; many other practical sessions are designed specifically for students in each study cycle (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral).
Nanomaterials fabrication through template-assisted electrochemical synthesis
Bottom-up growth of nanowires and nanotubes by electrodeposition inside nanoporous templates, on a computer-controlled electrochemical workstation featuring a thermostatted electrolytic cell.
Students learn to
electrodeposit metallic thin films and ultra-thin films
prepare supported nanoporous alumina templates by anodization
grow metallic nanowires in a three-electrode potentiostatic configuration
release the nanostructures from the template for further characterization
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Imaging the morphology of nanomaterials, surfaces, interfaces and cross-sections with a scanning electron microscope.
Students learn to
identify the main components and the operating principle of an SEM
understand how the electron beam interacts with the sample and what secondary and backscattered electrons reveal
prepare and mount samples, including cross-sections, for observation in vacuum
adjust the accelerating voltage, working distance, focus and astigmatism to obtain sharp images
measure the size, shape and density of nanostructures from the images
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Three-dimensional imaging of surface topography at the nanoscale, with additional modes for local electrical, magnetic and piezoelectric properties (C-AFM, EFM, MFM, PFM).
Students learn to
identify the main components and the operating principle of an AFM
understand the tip–sample interaction, as well as the contact and tapping modes
mount and set up the probe and choose the scanning parameters
acquire topography images and process them (levelling, filtering, 3D rendering)
extract quantitative parameters such as roughness, grain size and step height
Photos: MDEO website, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest.
Earlier teaching
Post-Doctoral Researcher, UCLouvain · 2012 – 2016
Physical Deposition Methods– Seminar & Practicals · M.Sc., year 1
Assistant Lecturer, University of Bucharest · 2003 – 2006
General Electronics– Seminar & Practicals · B.Sc., year 3
Electronic Circuits and Devices– Seminar & Practicals · B.Sc., year 3
Organic Materials and Electronic Devices– Practicals · M.Sc., year 2
