Talent4Iberia — Outcomes Report
Career development of international talents of the energy research fields in the Iberian Peninsula
Journal publication
Dissemination activity
Bi-isotropic effects on hybrid surface polaritons in bilayer configurationsAriel Nonato Almeida de Abreu SilvaIn this work, we investigate the bi-isotropic effects in the formation and tunability of hybrid surface polaritons in bilayer configurations. To do that, we consider a heterostructure constituted with layers formed by a TI medium endowed with bi-isotropic constitutive relations and an AFM medium. Using transfer matrix formalism, we derive general dispersion relations for surface polaritonic modes including the bi-isotropic coupling parameter, and analyze their coupling to bulk magnon-polaritons in the AFM layer. As an illustration, we consider a heterostructure formed with Bi2Se3 interfaced with antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials that support terahertz-frequency magnons. In the non-null bi-isotropic coupling regime, the surface Dirac plasmon-phonon-magnon polariton (DPPMP) dispersion undergoes a pronounced redshift, accompanied by the suppression of the characteristic anticrossing between the Dirac plasmon and the phonon. This effect, observed for all AFM materials considered, suggests a weakening of the hybrid interaction, possibly due to saturation or detuning mechanisms induced by the increased 𝛼 parameter. The latter yields a redshift that partially compensates the blueshift induced by a higher Fermi level, restoring the system to a weak-coupling regime analogous to that observed at lower Fermi energies. Our findings reveal that both the Fermi level and the bi-isotropic response offer independent and complementary control parameters for tuning the strength of light-magnon coupling in TI/AFM heterostructures, with potential implications for reconfigurable THz spintronic and photonic devices.
Type: Journal publication
Date: 17-06-2026
Available since: 17-06-2026
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Mixed-Ligand Engineering of Manganese Perovskite-like Materials with Tunable Solid−Solid Phase TransitionsAriel Nonato Almeida de Abreu SilvaThe rational design of novel materials capable of reversible solid-state phase transitions is a central challenge in modern materials science, owing to their potential in thermal regulation and energy storage. Hybrid organic−inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their pronounced and reversible entropy changes near room temperature. In this work, we explore a mixed-ligand strategy employing azide and formate linkers to systematically tailor the structural and thermal properties of a manganese-based perovskite-like framework ([TMA][Mn(N3)3]). The azide ligand imparts structural flexibility and dynamic behavior, while formate contributes stability and structural diversity. By varying the azide-to-formate ratio (at low concentrations), we achieved controlled tuning of phase transition temperatures and enthalpy/entropy responses, with transitions occurring near ambient conditions. Importantly, ligand substitution also induces broadened multi-step thermal transitions correlated with monoclinic−cubic phase coexistence revealed by XRPD analysis. Our findings reveal that mixed-ligand design not only enables modulation of thermal properties and phase behavior but also expands the structural landscape accessible to HOIPs, highlighting their potential as solid-state phase change materials for energy-efficient technologies. This study underscores the versatility of combinatorial ligand approaches for engineering functional materials with customizable thermodynamic responses.
Type: Journal publication
Date: 26-06-2026
Available since: 27-06-2026
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Exploring spin-phonon coupling, barocaloric, and polar phonon features in the multiferroic [(CH3)2NH2][Mn(N3)3] hybrid perovskiteAriel Nonato Almeida de Abreu SilvaWe report a temperature-dependent Raman scattering study of the hybrid organic–inorganic azide perovskite of formula [(CH3)2NH2][Mn(N3)3]([DMA][Mn(N3)3]). The Raman spectra reveal distinct shifts in phonon frequencies, particularly in the νsCNC and νs(ν1)N3− modes, demonstrating that spin-phonon interactions play a critical role in their thermal and magnetic responses. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed a first-order structural phase transition, from an orthorhombic high-temperature HT(α) phase, belonging to the Cmca space group, to a monoclinic low-temperature LT(β) phase, with P21 symmetry. The associated entropy change was found to be |∆S| ~ 8.45 J mol−1 K−1 (37.2 J kg−1 K−1), and the barocaloric (BC) coefficient (|δTt/δP|) was ~2.94 K kbar−1, estimated by using the Clausius-Clapeyron method. Room-temperature FTIR reflectivity spectra revealed the polar phonon modes and their corresponding damping coefficients, showing minimal contributions from the DMA+ cation to the intrinsic dielectric constant (~4.3). These results provide new insights into the coupling between lattice dynamics, spin interactions, and barocaloric behavior in azide-based hybrid perovskites.
Type: Journal publication
Date: 23-06-2026
Available since: 23-06-2026
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Nanoporous Carbon Catalysts in Fischer–Tropsch SynthesisKiara Montiel CentenoOrdered mesoporous carbons have emerged as versatile supports for Fischer–Tropsch catalysts due to their high surface area, tunable pore architectures, and chemical stability. However, the influence of active-metal identity on product selectivity within a common carbon framework remains insufficiently understood, particularly when Fe and Co are compared under rigorously identical conditions. To address this aspect, we prepared Fe- and Co-based catalysts with comparable nominal metal loadings supported on CMK-5 carbon material and evaluated their structural, surface, and catalytic properties. Comprehensive characterization revealed distinct metal-dependent behaviors, and catalytic testing between 423 and 598 K at 2 MPa showed that the catalyst CMK-5(Co10) exhibited substantially higher activity, whereas CMK-5(Fe10) provided a more stable product distribution and exclusively paraffinic C2–C3 products across the studied temperature range. In contrast, CMK-5(Co10) displayed a pronounced temperature-dependent selectivity, with increasing methane formation and the emergence of olefinic C2–C3 species at intermediate and high temperatures. Chain-growth probabilities were consistent with these trends. Complementary Density Functional Theory and Kinetic Monte Carlo analyses indicated stronger binding of carbonaceous intermediates on Fe clusters and more accessible C–C coupling pathways on Co clusters. Together, these results clarify how active-metal identity governs selectivity within a shared CMK-5 architecture and provide guidelines for designing carbon-supported Fischer–Tropsch catalysts with controlled product distributions.
Type: Journal publication
Date: 23-05-2026
Available since: 31-05-2026
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Electrolysis training for teachers at IES Javier García Tellez, as part of a partnership with the Prometeo ProjectMELISA JULIETA GOMEZDr. Melisa J. Gomez, along with Dr. Liliana Analía Diaz and Dr. Rosa María Ladera Gallardo, collaborated on the Prometeo project to provide training in hydrogen production technologies. Prometeo aims to introduce key elements of electrochemical energy production, chemical storage, to address potential process challenges. On April 29, 2026, a meeting was held featuring demonstrations of experimental activities related to electrolysis and fuel cells, aimed at training teachers from IES Javier García Téllez and, through them, their students. All three researchers are part of the CIIAE - Iberian Centre for Research in Energy Storage (#CIIAE). Dr. Melisa J. Gomez is a fellow of the #Talent4Iberia programme, co-funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (#MSCA) and the Junta de Extremadura. It was a highly engaging and rewarding experience, fostering meaningful exchange, strengthening connections between academia and education, and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in sustainable energy technologies. Initiatives like this play a key role in inspiring future professionals and advancing collaborative learning. url: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melisa-julieta-g%C3%B3mez-10137826_ciiae-talent4iberia-msca-ugcPost-7456988543031132161-wBCa?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAO8o_oB6rqYv5OsY9EaXziYr9pUxSUeLCk
Type: Dissemination activity
Date: 29-04-2026
Available since: 29-04-2026
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