The Nanomaterials Research Group (NRG) mainly deals with:
- Luminescent inorganic nanomaterials:
preparation, structural, morphological and spectroscopic investigation (absorption and luminescence in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectral regions) of inorganic nanomaterials, also of colloidal nature, activated with luminescent lanthanide ions.
- Multifunctional colloidal nanostructures for applications in biotechnology and nanomedicine:
development of organic-inorganic nanocomposites of colloidal nature for theranostics in biotechnology and nanomedicine, in particular for optical imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI), nanothermometry, photothermal therapy and photodynamics and investigations on their functional properties.
- Surface functionalization of inorganic nanomaterials:
chemical attack of ligands or compounds on the surface of inorganic nanomaterials to confer additional functionality (eg solubility, colloidal stability, biocompatibility, bioconjugation, targeting, sensing, controlled release of substances).