TPCI - Materials Syntesis and Physical Chemistry

About Team Collaborations Funding Publications

The laser structuring and functionalization of materials and devices activity, within the Materials Synthesis and Physical Chemistry program, at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, is led by Dr. Maria Kandyla. The group focuses on the interaction of laser light with matter. Short and ultrashort laser pulses squeeze the energy of light in a few billionths of a second (nanoseconds) or a few millionths of a billionth of a second (femtoseconds). This way, a femtosecond pulse carrying 1000 times less energy than a flying butterfly, achieves enormous peak powers. Such intense pulses offer unique opportunities for fundamental manipulation of matter. We investigate the use of laser pulses as a nanofabrication tool, in order to create photonic and optoelectronic micro/nanodevices, smart surfaces, chemical sensors, and thin-film photovoltaics.

Research Highlights

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater. 2020, 2, 2819 FEMS Master Thesis Award 2020	Sci. Rep. 2016, 6, 26275 Appl. Phys. Lett. 2015, 107, 211111

J. Polym. Sci. Pol. Phys. 2019, 57, 670 Appl. Surf. Sci. 2020, 527, 146841

Current Members

Dr. Maria Kandyla, Senior Researcher

Scientific Collaborators
Dr. Constantinos Bacharis (02.2020 – present)
Dr. Andreas Anastasopoulos (04.2019 – present)

PhD Candidates
Mr. Theodoros Giannakis (11.2020 – present)

MSc Candidates
Mr. Michael Tsanakas (09.2022 – present)

Undergraduate Students
Mr. Achilleas Peolidis (11.2022 - present)
Ms. Maria Koufopoulou (09.2021 – present)

Past Members

Niki Diamantopoulou (09.2021 - 07.2022)

George Chatzigiannakis (06.2018 - 02.2022)

Dr. Maria Kanidi (2016 – 2020)
Postdoctoral Associate, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

Constantina Nikolaidou (12.2017 – 08.2018)

Prof. Massimo L. Filograno (2016 – 2018)
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Domna Kotsifaki (2013 – 2014)
Staff Scientist, Light-Matter Interactions for Quantum Technologies Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan

Ms. Malamatenia Alexiadou (2013 – 2014)
Physics Teacher, Center for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind, Athens, Greece

Mr. Chris Chatzimanolis Moustakas (2011 – 2012)
Technical Marketing, ERMA FIRST ESK Engineering Solutions S.A, Athens, Greece

Internal

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation
Dr. Andreas Kaltzoglou, Associate Researcher
Dr. Efstratios Kamitsos, Research Director
Dr. George Mousdis, Research Director
Dr. Dimitrios Palles, Application Scientist A'
Dr. Aristidis Papagianopoulos, Associate Researcher
Dr. Stergios Pispas, Research Director
Dr. Christos Riziotis, Senior Researcher

National

Prof. Spyros Gardelis
Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Dr. Christos Tsamis
Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR “Demokritos”

Dr. George Tsekenis
Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens

Dr. Andriana Papadimitropoulou
Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens

International

Dr. Maria Dinescu
National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bucharest, Romania

Dr. Renaud Leturcq
Materials Research and Technology Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Belvaux, Luxembourg

Prof. Tobias Voss
Institute of Semiconductor Technology, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany

Current projects

Title: Photocatalytic reactors for water and liquid waste purification with immobilized photocatalysts on micro/nanopatterned surfaces
Acronym: PhoRTnano
Program: Synergies of Research and Innovation in the Region of Attica
Funding Organization: Region of Attica – NSRF 2014-2020
Role: Coordinator, Principle Investigator, and Scientist-in-Charge
Implementation Period: 04.08.2022 – 31.12.2023
Project website: http://www.eie.gr/nhrf/institutes/tpci/projects/PhoRTnano/PhoRTnano_en.html

Title: Laser induced nanojet functionalization of two-dimensional materials for sensing and energy harvesting applications
Acronym: LANAFUSEHA
Program: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
Funding Organization: EC Horizon Europe
Role: Supervisor
Implementation Period: 01.06.2023 – 31.05.2025

Past projects (since 2013)

Title: Novel studies of cell interactions on nanostructured surfaces
Acronym: Nano-cell
Program: Support of Researchers with Emphasis on New Researchers / Cycle B’
Funding Organization: Ministry of Development and Investments – NSRF 2014-2020
Role: Coordinator, Principle Investigator, and Scientist-in-Charge
Implementation Period: 01.03.2020 – 05.12.2021

Title: Synthesis-functionality, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy of advanced materials
Acronym: INNOVATION-EL
Program: Strengthening Research and Innovation Infrastructures
Funding Organization: Ministry of Development and Investments – NSRF 2014-2020
Role: Participating Member
Implementation Period: 01.04.2018 – 31.11.2021

Title: Advanced materials and devices
Acronym: -
Program: Activity for the Development of Research and Technological Organizations
Funding Organization: Ministry of Development and Investments – NSRF 2014-2020
Role: Participating Member
Implementation Period: 01.09.2017 – 28.02.2021

Title: Optical distributed vibrational and acoustic sensing technology
Acronym: DIVAS
Program: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships
Funding Organization: EC H2020
Role: Supervisor
Implementation Period: 08.08.2016 – 07.06.2018

Title: New multifunctional nanostructured materials and devices
Acronym: POLYNANO
Program: Development Proposals for Research Organizations – ΚΡΗΠΙΣ
Funding Organization: General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT)
Role: Participating Member
Implementation Period: 01.06.2013 – 31.12.2015

Title: Low-cost and efficient thin-film solar cells
Acronym: FilmSolar
Program: ERA.Net Russia
Funding Organization: EC H2020
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Implementation Period: 01.01.2013 – 31.12.2014

Title: Laser nanostructuring of silicon for novel optoelectronic applications
Acronym: LaserNano
Program: Latsis Foundation Grant for Scientific Studies
Funding Organization: Latsis Foundation
Role: Coordinator
Implementation Period: 01.01.2013 – 31.12.2013

2021-2018

A. Peer-Reviewed Refereed Journals

2020

G. Chatzigiannakis, A. Jaros, R. Leturcq, J. Jungclaus, T. Voss, S. Gardelis, M. Kandyla, “Laser-microstructured ZnO/p-Si photodetector with enhanced and broadband responsivity across the ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared range”, ACS Appl. Electron. Mater. 2020, 2, 2819.
DOI: 10.1021/acsaelm.0c00492
M. Kanidi, A. Papagiannopoulos, A. Matei, M. Dinescu, S. Pispas, M. Kandyla, “Functional surfaces of laser-microstructured silicon coated with thermoresponsive PS/PNIPAM polymer blends: switching reversibly between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity”, Appl. Surf. Sci. 2020, 527, 146841.
DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.146841
K. Sahbeni, M. Jlassi, S. Khamlich, M. Kandyla, M. Kompitsas, W. Dimassi, “Effect of CdO ratios on the structural and optical properties of CdO–TiO₂ nanocomposite thin films”, J. Mater. Sci.- Mater. El. 2020, 31, 3387.
DOI: 10.1007/s10854-020-02887-w

2019

M.L. Filograno, C. Riziotis, M. Kandyla, “A low-cost Phase-OTDR system for structural health monitoring: design and instrumentation”, Instruments 2019, 3, 46.
DOI: 10.3390/instruments3030046
M. Kanidi, A. Dagkli, N. Kelaidis, D. Palles, S. Aminalragia-Giamini, J. Marquez-Velasco, A. Colli, A. Dimoulas, E. Lidorikis, M. Kandyla, E.I. Kamitsos, “Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of graphene integrated in plasmonic silicon platforms with a three-dimensional nanotopography”, J. Phys. Chem. C 2019, 123, 3076.
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b10356
M. Kanidi, A. Papagiannopoulos, A. Skandalis, M. Kandyla, S. Pispas, “Thin films of PS/PS-b-PNIPAM and PS/PNIPAM polymer blends with tunable wettability”, J. Polym. Sci. Pol. Phys. 2019, 57, 670.
DOI: 10.1002/polb.24822

2018

S.W. Teitelbaum, T. Shin, J.W. Wolfson, Y.-H. Cheng, I.J. Porter, M. Kandyla, K.A. Nelson, “Real-time observation of a coherent lattice transformation into a high-symmetry phase”, Phys. Rev. X 2018, 8, 031081.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.8.031081
C. Moslah, M. Kandyla, G.A. Mousdis, G. Petropoulou, M. Ksibi, “Photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide thin films doped with noble metals (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt)”, Phys. Status Solidi A 2018, 215, 1800023.
DOI: 10.1002/pssa.201800023

B. Book Chapters

C. Moslah, G.A. Mousdis, M. Kandyla, G. Petropoulou, M. Ksibi, “Photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ thin films doped with noble metals (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) for water decontamination” in NATO Science for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology, Nanostructured Materials for the Detection of CBRN, Eds. J. Bonca, S. Kruchinin, Springer Nature B.V., Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2018, Chapter 6, p. 71, ISBN: 978-9402413038.
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1304-5_6

2017-2013

A. Peer-Reviewed Refereed Journals

2017

K. Sahbeni, I. Sta, M. Jlassi, M. Kandyla, M. Hajji, M. Kompitsas, W. Dimassi, “Annealing temperature effect on the physical properties of titanium oxide thin films prepared by the sol–gel method”, J. Phys. Chem. Biophys. 2017, 7, 1000257.
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0398.1000257
M. Alexiadou, M. Kandyla, G. Mousdis, M. Kompitsas, “Pulsed laser deposition of ZnO thin films decorated with Au and Pd nanoparticles with enhanced acetone sensing performance”, Appl. Phys. A 2017, 123, 262.
DOI: 10.1007/s00339-017-0900-y
A. Mellos, M. Kandyla, D. Palles, M. Kompitsas, “Effects of hydrogen pressure on hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films prepared by low-temperature reactive pulsed laser deposition”, Phys. Status Solidi C 2017, 14, 1600088.
DOI: 10.1002/pssc.201600088

2016

D.G. Kotsifaki, M. Kandyla, P.G. Lagoudakis, “Plasmon enhanced optical tweezers with gold-coated black silicon”, Sci. Rep. 2016, 6, 26275.
DOI: 10.1038/srep26275
I. Sta, M. Jlassi, M. Kandyla, M. Hajji, P. Koralli, F. Krout, M. Kompitsas, H. Ezzaouia, “Surface functionalization of sol-gel grown NiO thin films with palladium nanoparticles for hydrogen sensing”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 2016, 41, 3291.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.12.109

2015

D.G. Kotsifaki, M. Kandyla, P.G. Lagoudakis, “Near-field enhanced optical tweezers utilizing femtosecond-laser nanostructured substrates”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2015, 107, 211111.
DOI: 10.1063/1.4936600
T. Shin, S.W. Teitelbaum, J. Wolfson, M. Kandyla, K.A. Nelson, “Extended two-temperature model for ultrafast thermal response of band gap materials upon impulsive optical excitation”, J. Chem. Phys. 2015, 143, 194705.
DOI: 10.1063/1.4935366
T. Shin, J.W. Wolfson, S.W. Teitelbaum, M. Kandyla, K.A. Nelson, “Carrier confinement and bond softening in photoexcited bismuth films”, Phys. Rev. B 2015, 92, 184302.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.92.184302
I. Sta, M. Jlassi, M. Kandyla, M. Hajji, P. Koralli, R. Allagui, M. Kompitsas, H. Ezzaouia, “Hydrogen sensing by sol-gel grown NiO and NiO:Li thin films”, J. Alloy. Compd. 2015, 626, 87.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.11.151

2014

D.G. Georgiadou, M. Ulmeanu, M. Kompitsas, P. Argitis, M. Kandyla, “Scalable fabrication of nanostructured p-Si/n-ZnO heterojunctions by femtosecond-laser processing”, Mater. Res. Express 2014, 1, 045902.
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/1/4/045902
I. Sta, M. Jlassi, M. Hajji, M.F. Boujmil, R. Jerbi, M. Kandyla, M. Kompitsas, and H. Ezzaouia, “Structural and optical properties of TiO₂ thin films prepared by spin coating”, J. Sol-Gel Sci. Techn. 2014, 72, 421.
DOI: 10.1007/s10971-014-3452-z
T. Shin, J.W. Wolfson, S.W. Teitelbaum, M. Kandyla, K.A. Nelson, “Dual echelon femtosecond single-shot spectroscopy”, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2014, 85, 083115.
DOI: 10.1063/1.4893641
M. Kandyla, C. Chatzimanolis-Moustakas, M. Guziewicz, M. Kompitsas, “Nanocomposite NiO:Pd hydrogen sensors with sub-ppm detection limit and low operating temperature”, Mater. Lett. 2014, 119, 51.
DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2013.12.104
M. Kandyla, C. Chatzimanolis-Moustakas, E.P. Koumoulos, C. Charitidis, M. Kompitsas, “Nanocomposite NiO:Au hydrogen sensors with high sensitivity and low operating temperature”, Mater. Res. Bull. 2014, 49, 552.
DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.09.044

2013

I. Fasaki, M. Kandyla, M.G. Tsoutsouva, M. Kompitsas, “Optimized hydrogen sensing properties of nanocomposite NiO:Au thin films grown by dual Pulsed Laser Deposition”, Sensor. Actuat. B-Chem. 2013. 176, 103.
DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2012.08.029
M. Kandyla, C. Pandis, S. Chatzandroulis, P. Pissis, I. Zergioti, “Direct laser printing of thin-film polyaniline devices”, Appl. Phys. A 2013, 110, 623.
DOI: 10.1007/s00339-012-7127-8

2012-2005

A. Peer-Reviewed Refereed Journals

2012

D.G. Kotsifaki, M. Kandyla, I. Zergioti, M. Makropoulou, E. Chatzitheodoridis, A.A. Serafetinides, “Optical tweezers with enhanced efficiency based on laser-structured substrates”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2012, 101, 011102.
DOI: 10.1063/1.4728992
I. Fasaki, M. Kandyla, M. Kompitsas, “Properties of pulsed laser deposited nanocomposite NiO:Au thin films for gas sensing applications”, Appl. Phys. A 2012, 107, 899.
DOI: 10.1007/s00339-012-6816-7

2010

M. Kandyla, S. Chatzandroulis, I. Zergioti, “Laser induced forward transfer of conducting polymers”, Opto-electron. Rev. 2010, 18, 345.
DOI: 10.2478/s11772-010-0045-4
E. Drakaki, M. Kandyla, E. Chatzitheodoridis, I. Zergioti, A.A. Serafetinides, A. Terlixi, E. Kouloumpi, A. Moutsatsou, M. Doulgerides, V. Kantarelou, A. Karydas, C. Vlachou-Mogire, “Laser studies of metallic artworks”, Appl. Phys. A 2010, 101, 349.
DOI: 10.1007/s00339-010-5874-y

2009

· C.R. Mendonca, M. Kandyla, T. Shih, R.F. Aroca, C.J.L. Constantino, E. Mazur, “Ultrafast dynamics of bis (n-butylimido) perylene thin films excited by two-photon absorption”, Appl. Phys. Α 2009, 96, 369.

DOI: 10.1007/s00339-009-5197-z

2008

M. Shen, J.E. Carey, C.H. Crouch, M. Kandyla, H.A. Stone, E. Mazur, “High-density regular arrays of nanometer-scale rods formed on silicon surfaces via femtosecond laser irradiation in water”, Nano Lett. 2008, 8, 2087.
DOI: 10.1021/nl080291q

2007

M. Kandyla, T. Shih, E. Mazur, “Femtosecond dynamics of the laser-induced solid-to-liquid phase transition in aluminum”, Phys. Rev. B 2007, 75, 214107.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.214107
S.I. Kudryashov, M. Kandyla, C.A.D. Roeser, E. Mazur, “Intraband and interband optical deformation potentials in femtosecond-laser excited a-Te”, Phys. Rev. B 2007, 75, 085207.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.085207

2004

C.A.D. Roeser, M. Kandyla, A. Mendioroz, E. Mazur, “Optical control of coherent lattice vibrations in tellurium”, Phys. Rev. B 2004, 70, 212302.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.70.212302