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
2024
Jeyachandran N, Yuan W, Li X, Muthuperiyanayagam A, Gardoni S, Feng J, Gao Q, Wilding M, Wells P, Di Tommaso D and Giordano C (2024). Tuning the crystallinity of Cu-based electrocatalysts: Synthesis, structure, and activity towards the CO2 reduction reaction. Applied Materials Today, Elsevier vol. 41, 102466-102466. 09-10-2024
Russo G, Armetta F, Rao T, Yuan W, Boiko V, Hreniak D, Giordano C and Saladino ML (2024). Composite Nanostructures for the Production of White Light. Molecules, MDPI vol. 29 (19) 27-09-2024
Li X, Gunnarsdóttir AB, Pershina V, Höskuldsson ÁB, Hidalgo MF, Skúlason E, Flosadóttir HD and Giordano C (2024). Towards Improved Stability of Transition Metal Nitrides in Aqueous Solutions. Progress in Solid State Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 75, 100474-100474. 15-07-2024
2023
Hasanova I, Jeyachandran N, Maderuelo-Solera R, Maireles-Torres P, Cecilia JA and Giordano C (2023). Multi-metal catalysts for selective furfural hydrogenation: Toward biomass valorisation. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Elsevier vol. 200, 786-792. 01-12-2023
Li X and Giordano C (2023). Designed NiMoC@C and NiFeMo2C@C core-shell nanoparticles for oxygen evolution in alkaline media. Frontiers in Chemistry, Frontiers vol. 11 26-04-2023
Jeyachandran N, Yuan W and Giordano C (2023). Cutting-Edge Electrocatalysts for CO2RR. Molecules, MDPI vol. 28 (8) 16-04-2023
Yuan W, Jeyachandran N, Rao T, Ghulam Nabi A, Bisetto M, Di Tommaso D, Montini T and Giordano C (2023). Study on the Structure vs Activity of Designed Non-Precious Metal electrocatalysts for CO16-03-2023
2022
Defilippi C, Rodríguez-Padrón D, Luque R, Winchester L and Giordano C (2022). Novel iron carbide based catalysts for biomass valorisation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 131279-131279. 09-03-2022
2020
Giordano C, Defilippi C, Luque R and Rodriguez Padron D (2020). Simplifying Levulinic Acid Conversion Towards a Sustainable Biomass Valorisation. Green Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry 14-04-2020
Jiménez-Gómez CP, Defilippi C, Cecilia JA, Moreno-Tost R, Maireles-Torres P and Giordano C (2020). The role of nitride species in the gas-phase furfural hydrogenation activity of supported nickel catalysts. Molecular Catalysis, Elsevier vol. 487 20-03-2020
2019
Fang Y, Li X, Wang Y, Giordano C and Wang X (2019). Gradient sulfur doping along polymeric carbon nitride films as visible light photoanodes for the enhanced water oxidation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Elsevier 14-11-2019
Giordano C (2019). Multimetallic Oxynitrides Nanoparticles for a New Generation of Photocatalysts. Chemistry: A European Journal, Wiley 25-10-2019
Defilippi C, Shinde DV, Dang Z, Manna L, Hardacre C, Greer AJ, D'Agostino C and Giordano C (2019). HfN Nanoparticles: An Unexplored Catalyst for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction. Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 131 (43), 15610-15616. 20-09-2019
Giordano C (2019). HfN nanoparticles: an Unexplored Catalyst for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley 22-08-2019
Armetta F, Defilippi C, Giordano C, Caponetti E, Marciniak L, Hreniak D and Saladino ML (2019). Influence of cerium content and heat treatment on Ce:YAG@glass wool nanostructures. Journal of Nanoparticle Research vol. 21 (7) 04-07-2019
Armetta F, Saladino ML, Giordano C, Defilippi C, Marciniak Ł, Hreniak D and Caponetti E (2019). Non-conventional Ce:YAG nanostructures via urea complexes. Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 9 (1) 04-03-2019
GIORDANO C (2019). Iron Carbide@Carbon Nanocomposites: a Tool Box of Functional Materials. Materials 21-01-2019
2018
García‐Márquez A, Glatzel S, Kraupner A, Kiefer K, Siemensmeyer K and Giordano C (2018). Branch‐Like Iron Nitride and Carbide Magnetic Fibres Using an Electrospinning Technique. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 24 (19), 4895-4901. 02-03-2018
2016
Joshi U, Lee J, Giordano C, Malkhandi S and Yeo BS (2016). Enhanced catalysis of the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction using composites of molybdenum-based compounds, gold nanoparticles and carbon. Phys Chem Chem Phys vol. 18 (31), 21548-21553. 18-07-2016
Maurice V, Clavel G, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2016). Aerosol‐Assisted Synthesis of Porous TiNxOy@C Nanocomposites. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 22 (33), 11624-11630. 06-07-2016
2015
Lei W, Willinger MG, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2015). Frontispiece: GaN and GaxIn1−xN Nanoparticles with Tunable Indium Content: Synthesis and Characterization. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 21 (52) 14-12-2015
Lei W, Willinger MG, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2015). GaN and GaxIn1−xN Nanoparticles with Tunable Indium Content: Synthesis and Characterization. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 21 (52), 18976-18982. 13-11-2015
Gupta S, Altin B, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK (2015). Noble metal/silica “raspberry” type hybrids: Synthesis and functionalization. Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 472, 50-56. 01-05-2015
Ma L, Ting LRL, Molinari V, Giordano C and Yeo BS (2015). Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by molybdenum carbide and molybdenum nitride nanocatalysts synthesized via the urea glass route. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 3 (16), 8361-8368. 01-01-2015
2014
Milke B, Wall C, Metzke S, Clavel G, Fichtner M and Giordano C (2014). A simple synthesis of MnN0.43@C nanocomposite: characterization and application as battery material. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Springer Nature vol. 16 (12) 01-12-2014
Clavel G, Molinari V, Kraupner A and Giordano C (2014). Easy Access to Ni3N– and Ni–Carbon Nanocomposite Catalysts. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 20 (29), 9018-9023. 06-06-2014
Skorupska K, Giordano C, Zoladek S, Zurowski A, Milke B, Gao QS, Ramirez-Caro A, Fiechter S, Lewerenz HJ and Kulesza PJ (2014). Semiconducting Ta3N5-Polymer Nanohybrid that Photoelectrolyze Water. 13-03-2014
GIORDANO C (2014). Titanium Nitride-Nickel Nanocomposites as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Hydrogenolysis of Aryl Ethers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, American Chemical Society vol. 136 (5), 1758-1761. 17-01-2014
Esposito D, Molinari V, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2014). Chemical feedstocks from biomass: An integrated conversion scheme. 01-01-2014
Chieffi G, Giordano C, Antonietti M and Esposito D (2014). FeNi nanoparticles with carbon armor as sustainable hydrogenation catalysts: towards biorefineries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 2 (30), 11591-11596. 01-01-2014
2013
Shalom M, Molinari V, Esposito D, Clavel G, Ressnig D, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2013). Sponge‐like Nickel and Nickel Nitride Structures for Catalytic Applications. Advanced Materials, Wiley vol. 26 (8), 1272-1276. 27-11-2013
Kaur R, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK (2013). Synthesis of Highly Stable, Water‐Dispersible Copper Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Nitrobenzene Reduction. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, Wiley vol. 9 (1), 189-198. 07-10-2013
Gupta S, Giordano C, Gradzielski M and Mehta SK (2013). Microwave-assisted synthesis of small Ru nanoparticles and their role in degradation of congo red. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 411, 173-181. 28-08-2013
Liu X, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2013). A Facile Molten‐Salt Route to Graphene Synthesis. Small, Wiley vol. 10 (1), 193-200. 12-07-2013
Petkov V, Hessel CM, Ovtchinnikoff J, Guillaussier A, Korgel BA, Liu X and Giordano C (2013). Structure–Properties Correlation in Si Nanoparticles by Total Scattering and Computer Simulations. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 25 (11), 2365-2371. 30-05-2013
Liu X, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2013). Manipulation of Phase and Microstructure at Nanoscale for SiC in Molten Salt Synthesis. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 25 (10), 2021-2027. 06-05-2013
Gao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2013). ChemInform Abstract: Biomimetic Oxygen Activation by MoS2/Ta3N5 Nanocomposites for Selective Aerobic Oxidation. ChemInform, Wiley vol. 44 (14), no-no. 20-03-2013
Glatzel S, Schnepp Z and Giordano C (2013). From Paper to Structured Carbon Electrodes by Inkjet Printing. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 52 (8), 2355-2358. 17-01-2013
Glatzel S, Schnepp Z and Giordano C (2013). Von Papier zu strukturierten Kohlenstoffelektroden mittels Tintenstrahldruck. Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 125 (8), 2411-2414. 17-01-2013
Corbiere TCM, Ressnig D, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2013). Focused radiation heating for controlled high temperature chemistry, exemplified with the preparation of vanadium nitride nanoparticles. RSC Advances, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 3 (35), 15337-15343. 01-01-2013
Schliehe C and Giordano C (2013). Bottom-up synthesis of Zn 1.7 GeN 1.8 O nanoparticles for photocatalytic application. Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 5 (8), 3235-3239. 01-01-2013
2012
Giordano C and Corbiere T (2012). A step forward in metal nitride and carbide synthesis: from pure nanopowders to nanocomposites. Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 291 (6), 1297-1311. 05-12-2012
Gao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2012). Biomimetic Oxygen Activation by MoS2/Ta3N5 Nanocomposites for Selective Aerobic Oxidation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 51 (47), 11740-11744. 15-10-2012
Schliehe C, Yuan J, Glatzel S, Siemensmeyer K, Kiefer K and Giordano C (2012). ChemInform Abstract: Iron Nitride and Carbide: From Crystalline Nanoparticles to Stable Aqueous Dispersions. ChemInform, Wiley vol. 43 (43), no-no. 27-09-2012
Schliehe C, Yuan J, Glatzel S, Siemensmeyer K, Kiefer K and Giordano C (2012). Iron Nitride and Carbide: from Crystalline Nanoparticles to Stable Aqueous Dispersions. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society vol. 24 (14), 2716-2721. 05-07-2012
Villa A, Campisi S, Giordano C, Otte K and Prati L (2012). Mo and W Carbide: Tunable Catalysts for Liquid Phase Conversion of Alcohols. ACS Catalysis, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 2 (7), 1377-1380. 05-06-2012
Gobel R, Xie ZL, Neumann M, Gunter C, Lobbicke R, Kubo S, Titirici MM, Giordano C and Taubert A (2012). Synthesis of mesoporous carbon/iron carbide hybrids with unusually high surface areas from the ionic liquid precursor Bmim FeCl4. Crystengcomm vol. 14, 4946-4951. 01-01-2012
Liu X, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2012). A molten-salt route for synthesis of Si and Ge nanoparticles : chemical reduction of oxides by electrons solvated in salt melt. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 22 (12), 5454-5459. 01-01-2012
Gao Q, Wang S, Tang Y and Giordano C (2012). Preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid Fe–MoO x /polyaniline nanorods as efficient catalysts for alkene epoxidation. Chemical Communications, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 48 (2), 260-262. 01-01-2012
2011
Gao Q, Wang S, Ma Y, Tang Y, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2011). SiO2‐Surface‐Assisted Controllable Synthesis of TaON and Ta3N5 Nanoparticles for Alkene Epoxidation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 51 (4), 961-965. 08-12-2011
Gao Q, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2011). Controlled Synthesis of Tantalum Oxynitride and Nitride Nanoparticles. Small, Wiley vol. 7 (23), 3334-3340. 19-10-2011
Giordano C and Antonietti M (2011). Synthesis of crystalline metal nitride and metal carbide nanostructures by sol–gel chemistry. Nano Today, Elsevier vol. 6 (4), 366-380. 01-08-2011
Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2011). ChemInform Abstract: A General Solution Route Toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals. ChemInform, Wiley vol. 42 (24), no-no. 19-05-2011
Yuan J, Schlaad H, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2011). Double hydrophilic diblock copolymers containing a poly(ionic liquid) segment: Controlled synthesis, solution property, and application as carbon precursor. European Polymer Journal, Elsevier vol. 47 (4), 772-781. 01-04-2011
Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2011). Innentitelbild: A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals (Angew. Chem. 14/2011). Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 123 (14), 3148-3148. 07-03-2011
Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2011). Inside Cover: A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 14/2011). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 50 (14), 3092-3092. 07-03-2011
Portehault D, Devi S, Beaunier P, Gervais C, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2011). A General Solution Route toward Metal Boride Nanocrystals. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 50 (14), 3262-3265. 25-02-2011
Giordano C, Yang W, Lindemann A, Crombez R and Texter J (2011). Waterborne WC nanodispersions. Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier vol. 374 (1-3), 84-87. 01-01-2011
Yuan J, Márquez AG, Reinacher J, Giordano C, Janek J and Antonietti M (2011). Nitrogen -doped carbon fibers and membranes by carbonization of electrospun poly(ionic liquid)s. Polymer Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 2 (8), 1654-1657. 01-01-2011
Schnepp Z, Thomas M, Glatzel S, Schlichte K, Palkovits R and Giordano C (2011). One pot route to sponge-like Fe 3 N nanostructures. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 21 (44), 17760-17764. 01-01-2011
Giordano C, Kraupner A, Fleischer I, Henrich C, Klingelhöfer G and Antonietti M (2011). Non-conventional Fe 3 C-based nanostructures. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 21 (42), 16963-16967. 01-01-2011
2010
García-Márquez A, Portehault D and Giordano C (2010). Chromium nitride and carbide nanofibers: from composites to mesostructures. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 21 (7), 2136-2143. 15-12-2010
Schnepp Z, Wimbush SC, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2010). Synthesis of Highly Magnetic Iron Carbide Nanoparticles via a Biopolymer Route. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society vol. 22 (18), 5340-5344. 28-09-2010
Yuan J, Giordano C and Antonietti M (2010). Ionic Liquid Monomers and Polymers as Precursors of Highly Conductive, Mesoporous, Graphitic Carbon Nanostructures. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 22 (17), 5003-5012. 09-08-2010
Schnepp Z, Yang W, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2010). Biotemplating of Metal Carbide Microstructures: The Magnetic Leaf. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 49 (37), 6564-6566. 28-07-2010
Giordano C, Kraupner A, Wimbush SC and Antonietti M (2010). Iron Carbide: An Ancient Advanced Material. Small, Wiley vol. 6 (17), 1859-1862. 26-07-2010
Portehault D, Giordano C, Gervais C, Senkovska I, Kaskel S, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2010). High‐Surface‐Area Nanoporous Boron Carbon Nitrides for Hydrogen Storage. Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 20 (11), 1827-1833. 31-05-2010
Khare V, Kraupner A, Mantion A, Jeličić A, Thünemann AF, Giordano C and Taubert A (2010). Stable Iron Carbide Nanoparticle Dispersions in [Emim][SCN] and [Emim][N(CN)2] Ionic Liquids. Langmuir, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 26 (13), 10600-10605. 28-04-2010
Portehault D, Giordano C, Sanchez C and Antonietti M (2010). Nonaqueous Route toward a Nanostructured Hybrid Titanate. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 22 (6), 2125-2131. 12-02-2010
Kraupner A, Antonietti M, Palkovits R, Schlicht K and Giordano C (2010). Mesoporous Fe3C sponges as magnetic supports and as heterogeneous catalyst. Journal of Materials Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 20 (29), 6019-6022. 01-01-2010
2009
Makowski P, Giordano C, Goettmann F and Antonietti M (2009). Preparation of transition metal carbides and nitrides nanoparticles from urea and their use as alkylation catalysts. 01-12-2009
Yao W, Makowski P, Giordano C and Goettmann F (2009). Synthesis of Early‐Transition‐Metal Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles through the Urea Route and Their Use as Alkylation Catalysts. Chemistry - A European Journal, Wiley vol. 15 (44), 11999-12004. 02-11-2009
Giordano C, Erpen C, Yao W, Milke B and Antonietti M (2009). Metal Nitride and Metal Carbide Nanoparticles by a Soft Urea Pathway. Chemistry of Materials, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 21 (21), 5136-5144. 07-10-2009
Kraupner A, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2009). COLL 49-Synthesis of Fe3C nanostructures by a simple chemical route. 01-01-2009
Milke B, Strauch P, Antonietti M and Giordano C (2009). Synthesis of Li y MnSiO x and LiMnPO 4 nanostructures. Nanoscale, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) vol. 1 (1), 110-113. 01-01-2009
Makowski P, Giordano C, Goettmann F and Antonietti M (2009). CATL 40-Preparation of transition metal carbides and nitrides nanoparticles from urea and their use as alkylation catalysts. 01-01-2009
2008
Giordano C, Erpen C, Yao W and Antonietti M (2008). Synthesis of Mo and W Carbide and Nitride Nanoparticles via a Simple “Urea Glass” Route. Nano Letters, American Chemical Society (ACS) vol. 8 (12), 4659-4663. 14-11-2008
2006
Calandra P, Giordano C, Longo A and Liveri VT (2006). Physicochemical investigation of surfactant-coated gold nanoparticles synthesized in the confined space of dry reversed micelles. Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier vol. 98 (2-3), 494-499. 01-08-2006
Longo A, Calandra P, Casaletto MP, Giordano C, Venezia AM and Liveri VT (2006). Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of gold nanoparticles softly coated by AOT. Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier vol. 96 (1), 66-72. 01-03-2006
2004
Calandra P, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT (2004). Physicochemical investigation of acrylamide solubilization in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate and lecithin reversed micelles. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Elsevier vol. 277 (1), 206-214. 01-09-2004
Giordano C, Longo A, Ruggirello A, Turco Liveri V and Venezia AM (2004). Physicochemical investigation of cobalt–iron cyanide nanoparticles synthesized by a novel solid–solid reaction in confined space. Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 283 (3), 265-276. 24-04-2004
Bongiorno D, Ceraulo L, Ferrugia M, Filizzola F, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT (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 micelles. Arkivoc, ARKAT USA vol. 2004 (5), 251-262. 26-03-2004
Bongiorno D, Ceraulo L, Ferrugia M, Filizzola F, Giordano C, Ruggirello A and Liveri VT (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 micelles. Arkivoc vol. 2004 (5), 251-262. 01-01-2004
2003
Giordano C, Longo A, Turco Liveri V and Venezia A (2003). Physicochemical investigation of the solubilization of cobalt nitrate in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate reversed micelles. Colloid and Polymer Science, Springer Nature vol. 281 (3), 229-238. 01-03-2003