Dr Cristina Giordano
Reader in Chemistry
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Interests
Experimental Nanomaterial Chemistry Research, covering all relevant aspects from synthesis, characterization, processing and application.Research in our group focuses on the design of novel/tailored pathways for the synthesis of advanced nanostructures based on metals, metal alloys and metallic ceramics. Metallic ceramics (namely transition metal nitrides and carbides) are a partially unexplored class of materials (e.g. compared to their corresponding oxides) and, as suggested by their name, they possess an intriguing combination of properties that place them between classical ceramics and pure metals. The number of envisaged applications is thus very broad and even broader going to the nanoscale (e.g. higher specific surface area, tailored properties via size- and shape- control, easier shaping and processing, etc). As “bulk” phase, metallic ceramics are mainly known for their superior mechanical properties but, due to their “dual” nature, the potentialities of these materials go far beyond. Formally produced by involving dangerous reactants coupled with needed high temperatures (up to 2000°C), these conditions were not enough appealing for a large scale production and unsuitable for nanoparticles synthesis. Our research work successfully aimed at designing novel pathways for the synthesis of metallic ceramics in order to expand their coverage in applied science.
The research performed up to now represents just the tip of an iceberg. Once the production of these materials can be made straightforward, any further modification, combination, manipulation, is in principle possible and unique systems can be designed.
Current research also focuses on multifunctional materials, colloidal dispersions and hybrids based on MN/MC nanoparticles. In particular on the design of tailored multifunctional materials (hybrids and nanocomposites) based on metallic ceramics, where solid state bridges soft matter to create unique materials for target applications.
Large part of our research is also performed through national and international collaborations.
Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Chemical Research2024
Tuning the crystallinity of Cu-based electrocatalysts: Synthesis, structure, and activity towards the CO2 reduction reactionJeyachandran N, Yuan W, Li X, Muthuperiyanayagam A, Gardoni S, Feng J, Gao Q, Wilding M, Wells P, Di Tommaso D and Giordano C
Applied Materials Today, Elsevier vol. 41, 102466-102466.
09-10-2024
Composite Nanostructures for the Production of White LightRusso G, Armetta F, Rao T, Yuan W, Boiko V, Hreniak D, Giordano C and Saladino ML
Molecules, Mdpi vol. 29 (19)
27-09-2024
Towards Improved Stability of Transition Metal Nitrides in Aqueous SolutionsLi X, Gunnarsdóttir AB, Pershina V, Höskuldsson ÁB, Hidalgo MF, Skúlason E, Flosadóttir HD and Giordano C
Progress in Solid State Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 75, 100474-100474.
15-07-2024
2023
Multi-metal catalysts for selective furfural hydrogenation: Toward biomass valorisationHasanova I, Jeyachandran N, Maderuelo-Solera R, Maireles-Torres P, Cecilia JA and Giordano C
Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Elsevier vol. 200, 786-792.
01-12-2023
Designed NiMoC@C and NiFeMo2C@C core-shell nanoparticles for oxygen evolution in alkaline mediaLi X and Giordano C
Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers vol. 11
26-04-2023
Cutting-Edge Electrocatalysts for CO2RRJeyachandran N, Yuan W and Giordano C
Molecules, Mdpi vol. 28 (8)
16-04-2023
Study on the Structure vs Activity of Designed Non-Precious Metal electrocatalysts for COYuan W, Jeyachandran N, Rao T, Ghulam Nabi A, Bisetto M, Di Tommaso D, Montini T and Giordano C
Materials Letters, Elsevier vol. 341
16-03-2023
2022
Novel iron carbide based catalysts for biomass valorisationDefilippi C, Rodríguez-Padrón D, Luque R, Winchester L and Giordano C
Journal of Cleaner Production, 131279-131279.
09-03-2022
2020
Simplifying Levulinic Acid Conversion Towards a Sustainable Biomass ValorisationGiordano C, Defilippi C, Luque R and Rodriguez Padron D
Green Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry
14-04-2020
The role of nitride species in the gas-phase furfural hydrogenation activity of supported nickel catalystsJiménez-Gómez CP, Defilippi C, Cecilia JA, Moreno-Tost R, Maireles-Torres P and Giordano C
Molecular Catalysis, Elsevier vol. 487
20-03-2020
2019
Gradient sulfur doping along polymeric carbon nitride films as visible light photoanodes for the enhanced water oxidationFang Y, Li X, Wang Y, Giordano C and Wang X
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Elsevier
14-11-2019
Multimetallic Oxynitrides Nanoparticles for a New Generation of PhotocatalystsGiordano C
Chemistry: a European Journal, Wiley
25-10-2019
HfN Nanoparticles: An Unexplored Catalyst for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution ReactionDefilippi C, Shinde DV, Dang Z, Manna L, Hardacre C, Greer AJ, D'Agostino C and Giordano C
Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 131 (43), 15610-15616.
20-09-2019
HfN nanoparticles: an Unexplored Catalyst for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution ReactionGiordano C
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley
22-08-2019
Influence of cerium content and heat treatment on Ce:YAG@glass wool nanostructuresArmetta F, Defilippi C, Giordano C, Caponetti E, Marciniak L, Hreniak D and Saladino ML
Journal of Nanoparticle Research vol. 21 (7)
04-07-2019
Non-conventional Ce:YAG nanostructures via urea complexesArmetta F, Saladino ML, Giordano C, Defilippi C, Marciniak Ł, Hreniak D and Caponetti E
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 9 (1)
04-03-2019
Iron Carbide@Carbon Nanocomposites: a Tool Box of Functional MaterialsGIORDANO C
Materials
21-01-2019
2018
Branch‐Like Iron Nitride and Carbide Magnetic Fibres Using an Electrospinning TechniqueGarcía‐Márquez A, Glatzel S, Kraupner A, Kiefer K, Siemensmeyer K and Giordano C
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 24 (19), 4895-4901.
02-03-2018
2016
Enhanced catalysis of the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction using composites of molybdenum-based compounds, gold nanoparticles and carbon.Joshi U, Lee J, Giordano C, Malkhandi S and Yeo BS
Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 18 (31), 21548-21553.
18-07-2016
Aerosol‐Assisted Synthesis of Porous TiNxOy@C NanocompositesMaurice V, Clavel G, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 22 (33), 11624-11630.
06-07-2016
2015
Frontispiece: GaN and GaxIn1−xN Nanoparticles with Tunable Indium Content: Synthesis and CharacterizationLei W, Willinger MG, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 21 (52)
14-12-2015
GaN and GaxIn1−xN Nanoparticles with Tunable Indium Content: Synthesis and CharacterizationLei W, Willinger MG, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 21 (52), 18976-18982.
13-11-2015
Noble metal/silica “raspberry” type hybrids: Synthesis and functionalizationGupta S, Altin B, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK
Colloids and Surfaces a Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 472, 50-56.
01-05-2015
Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by molybdenum carbide and molybdenum nitride nanocatalysts synthesized via the urea glass routeMa L, Ting LRL, Molinari V, Giordano C and Yeo BS
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 3 (16), 8361-8368.
01-01-2015
2014
A simple synthesis of MnN0.43@C nanocomposite: characterization and application as battery materialMilke B, Wall C, Metzke S, Clavel G, Fichtner M and Giordano C
Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Springer Nature vol. 16 (12)
01-12-2014
Easy Access to Ni3N– and Ni–Carbon Nanocomposite CatalystsClavel G, Molinari V, Kraupner A and Giordano C
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 20 (29), 9018-9023.
06-06-2014
Semiconducting Ta3N5-Polymer Nanohybrid that Photoelectrolyze WaterSkorupska K, Giordano C, Zoladek S, Zurowski A, Milke B, Gao QS, Ramirez-Caro A, Fiechter S, Lewerenz HJ and Kulesza PJ
ECS Transactions. vol. 58 (30), 1-7.
13-03-2014
Titanium Nitride-Nickel Nanocomposites as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Hydrogenolysis of Aryl EthersGIORDANO C
Journal of The American Chemical Society, American Chemical Society vol. 136 (5), 1758-1761.
17-01-2014
Chemical feedstocks from biomass: An integrated conversion schemeEsposito D, Molinari V, Giordano C and Antonietti M
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 247
01-01-2014
FeNi nanoparticles with carbon armor as sustainable hydrogenation catalysts: towards biorefineriesChieffi G, Giordano C, Antonietti M and Esposito D
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 2 (30), 11591-11596.
01-01-2014
2013
Sponge‐like Nickel and Nickel Nitride Structures for Catalytic ApplicationsShalom M, Molinari V, Esposito D, Clavel G, Ressnig D, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Advanced Materials, Wiley vol. 26 (8), 1272-1276.
27-11-2013
Synthesis of Highly Stable, Water‐Dispersible Copper Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Nitrobenzene ReductionKaur R, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK
Chemistry - An Asian Journal, Wiley vol. 9 (1), 189-198.
07-10-2013
Microwave-assisted synthesis of small Ru nanoparticles and their role in degradation of congo redGupta S, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 411, 173-181.
28-08-2013
A Facile Molten‐Salt Route to Graphene SynthesisLiu X, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Small, Wiley vol. 10 (1), 193-200.
12-07-2013
Structure–Properties Correlation in Si Nanoparticles by Total Scattering and Computer SimulationsPetkov V, Hessel CM, Ovtchinnikoff J, Guillaussier A, Korgel BA, Liu X and Giordano C
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 25 (11), 2365-2371.
30-05-2013
Manipulation of Phase and Microstructure at Nanoscale for SiC in Molten Salt SynthesisLiu X, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 25 (10), 2021-2027.
06-05-2013
ChemInform Abstract: Biomimetic Oxygen Activation by MoS2/Ta3N5 Nanocomposites for Selective Aerobic Oxidation.Gao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Cheminform, Wiley vol. 44 (14), no-no.
20-03-2013
From Paper to Structured Carbon Electrodes by Inkjet PrintingGlatzel S, Schnepp Z and Giordano C
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 52 (8), 2355-2358.
17-01-2013
Von Papier zu strukturierten Kohlenstoffelektroden mittels TintenstrahldruckGlatzel S, Schnepp Z and Giordano C
Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 125 (8), 2411-2414.
17-01-2013
Focused radiation heating for controlled high temperature chemistry, exemplified with the preparation of vanadium nitride nanoparticlesCorbiere TCM, Ressnig D, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Rsc Advances, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 3 (35), 15337-15343.
01-01-2013
Bottom-up synthesis of Zn 1.7 GeN 1.8 O nanoparticles for photocatalytic applicationSchliehe C and Giordano C
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 5 (8), 3235-3239.
01-01-2013
2012
A step forward in metal nitride and carbide synthesis: from pure nanopowders to nanocompositesGiordano C and Corbiere T
Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 291 (6), 1297-1311.
05-12-2012
Biomimetic Oxygen Activation by MoS2/Ta3N5 Nanocomposites for Selective Aerobic OxidationGao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 51 (47), 11740-11744.
15-10-2012
ChemInform Abstract: Iron Nitride and Carbide: From Crystalline Nanoparticles to Stable Aqueous Dispersions.Schliehe C, Yuan J, Glatzel S, Siemensmeyer K, Kiefer K and Giordano C
Cheminform, Wiley vol. 43 (43), no-no.
27-09-2012
Iron Nitride and Carbide: from Crystalline Nanoparticles to Stable Aqueous DispersionsSchliehe C, Yuan J, Glatzel S, Siemensmeyer K, Kiefer K and Giordano C
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society vol. 24 (14), 2716-2721.
05-07-2012
Mo and W Carbide: Tunable Catalysts for Liquid Phase Conversion of AlcoholsVilla A, Campisi S, Giordano C, Otte K and Prati L
Acs Catalysis, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 2 (7), 1377-1380.
05-06-2012
Synthesis of mesoporous carbon/iron carbide hybrids with unusually high surface areas from the ionic liquid precursor Bmim FeCl4Gobel R, Xie ZL, Neumann M, Gunter C, Lobbicke R, Kubo S, Titirici MM, Giordano C and Taubert A
Crystengcomm vol. 14, 4946-4951.
01-01-2012
A molten-salt route for synthesis of Si and Ge nanoparticles : chemical reduction of oxides by electrons solvated in salt meltLiu X, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 22 (12), 5454-5459.
01-01-2012
Preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid Fe–MoO x /polyaniline nanorods as efficient catalysts for alkene epoxidationGao Q, Wang S, Tang Y and Giordano C
Chemical Communications, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 48 (2), 260-262.
01-01-2012
2011
SiO2‐Surface‐Assisted Controllable Synthesis of TaON and Ta3N5 Nanoparticles for Alkene EpoxidationGao Q, Wang S, Ma Y, Tang Y, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 51 (4), 961-965.
08-12-2011
Controlled Synthesis of Tantalum Oxynitride and Nitride NanoparticlesGao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Small, Wiley vol. 7 (23), 3334-3340.
19-10-2011
Synthesis of crystalline metal nitride and metal carbide nanostructures by sol–gel chemistryGiordano C and Antonietti M
Nano Today, Elsevier vol. 6 (4), 366-380.
01-08-2011
ChemInform Abstract: A General Solution Route Toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals.Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Cheminform, Wiley vol. 42 (24), no-no.
19-05-2011
Double hydrophilic diblock copolymers containing a poly(ionic liquid) segment: Controlled synthesis, solution property, and application as carbon precursorYuan J, Schlaad H, Giordano C and Antonietti M
European Polymer Journal, Elsevier vol. 47 (4), 772-781.
01-04-2011
Innentitelbild: A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals (Angew. Chem. 14/2011)Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 123 (14), 3148-3148.
07-03-2011
Inside Cover: A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 14/2011)Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 50 (14), 3092-3092.
07-03-2011
A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride NanocrystalsPortehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 50 (14), 3262-3265.
25-02-2011
Waterborne WC nanodispersionsGiordano C, Yang W, Lindemann A, Crombez R and Texter J
Colloids and Surfaces a Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 374 (1-3), 84-87.
01-01-2011
Nitrogen -doped carbon fibers and membranes by carbonization of electrospun poly(ionic liquid)sYuan J, Márquez AG, Reinacher J, Giordano C, Janek J and Antonietti M
Polymer Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 2 (8), 1654-1657.
01-01-2011
One pot route to sponge-like Fe 3 N nanostructuresSchnepp Z, Thomas M, Glatzel S, Schlichte K, Palkovits R and Giordano C
Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 21 (44), 17760-17764.
01-01-2011
Non-conventional Fe 3 C-based nanostructuresGiordano C, Kraupner A, Fleischer I, Henrich C, Klingelhöfer G and Antonietti M
Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 21 (42), 16963-16967.
01-01-2011
2010
Chromium nitride and carbide nanofibers: from composites to mesostructuresGarcía-Márquez A, Portehault D and Giordano C
Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 21 (7), 2136-2143.
15-12-2010
Synthesis of Highly Magnetic Iron Carbide Nanoparticles via a Biopolymer RouteSchnepp Z, Wimbush SC, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society vol. 22 (18), 5340-5344.
28-09-2010
Ionic Liquid Monomers and Polymers as Precursors of Highly Conductive, Mesoporous, Graphitic Carbon NanostructuresYuan J, Giordano C and Antonietti M
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 22 (17), 5003-5012.
09-08-2010
Biotemplating of Metal Carbide Microstructures: The Magnetic LeafSchnepp Z, Yang W, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 49 (37), 6564-6566.
28-07-2010
Iron Carbide: An Ancient Advanced MaterialGiordano C, Kraupner A, Wimbush SC and Antonietti M
Small, Wiley vol. 6 (17), 1859-1862.
26-07-2010
High‐Surface‐Area Nanoporous Boron Carbon Nitrides for Hydrogen StoragePortehault D, Giordano C, Gervais C, Senkovska I, Kaskel S, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 20 (11), 1827-1833.
31-05-2010
Stable Iron Carbide Nanoparticle Dispersions in [Emim][SCN] and [Emim][N(CN)2] Ionic LiquidsKhare V, Kraupner A, Mantion A, Jeličić A, Thünemann AF, Giordano C and Taubert A
Langmuir, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 26 (13), 10600-10605.
28-04-2010
Nonaqueous Route toward a Nanostructured Hybrid TitanatePortehault D, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 22 (6), 2125-2131.
12-02-2010
Mesoporous Fe3C sponges as magnetic supports and as heterogeneous catalystKraupner A, Antonietti M, Palkovits R, Schlicht K and Giordano C
Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 20 (29), 6019-6022.
01-01-2010
2009
Preparation of transition metal carbides and nitrides nanoparticles from urea and their use as alkylation catalystsMakowski P, Giordano C, Goettmann F and Antonietti M
ACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts.
01-12-2009
Synthesis of Early‐Transition‐Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles through the Urea Route and Their Use as Alkylation CatalystsYao W, Makowski P, Giordano C and Goettmann F
Chemistry - a European Journal, Wiley vol. 15 (44), 11999-12004.
02-11-2009
Metal Nitride and Metal Carbide Nanoparticles by a Soft Urea PathwayGiordano C, Erpen C, Yao W, Milke B and Antonietti M
Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 21 (21), 5136-5144.
07-10-2009
COLL 49-Synthesis of Fe3C nanostructures by a simple chemical routeKraupner A, Antonietti M and Giordano C
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 238
01-01-2009
Synthesis of Li y MnSiO x and LiMnPO 4 nanostructuresMilke B, Strauch P, Antonietti M and Giordano C
Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 1 (1), 110-113.
01-01-2009
CATL 40-Preparation of transition metal carbides and nitrides nanoparticles from urea and their use as alkylation catalystsMakowski P, Giordano C, Goettmann F and Antonietti M
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. vol. 238
01-01-2009
2008
Synthesis of Mo and W Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles via a Simple “Urea Glass” RouteGiordano C, Erpen C, Yao W and Antonietti M
Nano Letters, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 8 (12), 4659-4663.
14-11-2008
2006
Physicochemical investigation of surfactant-coated gold nanoparticles synthesized in the confined space of dry reversed micellesCalandra P, Giordano C, Longo A and Liveri VT
Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier vol. 98 (2-3), 494-499.
01-08-2006
Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of gold nanoparticles softly coated by AOTLongo A, Calandra P, Casaletto MP, Giordano C, Venezia AM and Liveri VT
Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier vol. 96 (1), 66-72.
01-03-2006
2004
Physicochemical investigation of acrylamide solubilization in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate and lecithin reversed micellesCalandra P, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 277 (1), 206-214.
01-09-2004
Physicochemical investigation of cobalt–iron cyanide nanoparticles synthesized by a novel solid–solid reaction in confined spaceGiordano C, Longo A, Ruggirello A, Turco Liveri V and Venezia AM
Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 283 (3), 265-276.
24-04-2004
H-NMR and FT-IR study of the state of melatonin confined in membrane models: location and interactions of melatonin in water free lecithin and AOT reversed micellesBongiorno D, Ceraulo L, Ferrugia M, Filizzola F, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT
Arkivoc, Arkat Usa vol. 2004 (5), 251-262.
26-03-2004
1H-NMR and FT-IR study of the state of melatonin confined in membrane models: Location and interactions of melatonin in water free lecithin and AOT reversed micellesBongiorno D, Ceraulo L, Ferrugia M, Filizzola F, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT
Arkivoc vol. 2004 (5), 251-262.
01-01-2004
2003
Physicochemical investigation of the solubilization of cobalt nitrate in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate reversed micellesGiordano C, Longo A, Turco Liveri V and Venezia A
Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 281 (3), 229-238.
01-03-2003