Research Overview

Carbon exhibits an extraordinary diversity of structures and properties, ranging from graphite to diamond and other metastable phases. Understanding and controlling carbon structures at the atomic scale is crucial for emerging technologies ranging from quantum sensing and quantum information processing to advanced electronics and biomedical imaging. My research aims to understand and control carbon transformations under extreme conditions by discovering the fundamental mechanisms governing the transition from sp²- to sp³-bonded carbon.

A central theme of my work is the use of structurally defined molecular carbon precursors, including nanographenes, conjugated microporous polymers and diamondoid molecules to achieve precise control over diamond formation at the nanoscale. By combining organic synthesis with high-pressure and high-temperature techniques, I seek to establish structure–property relationships between precursor chemistry, phase-transition pathways, and the resulting diamond structures.

In parallel, I explore the use of swift heavy-ion irradiation as a novel extreme-condition tool for synthesis and modification of carbon materials. Involved in the development of the world’s first experimental platform combining static pressures with relativistic heavy ion irradiation at GSI/FAIR, I investigate how pressure and ion-induced nonequilibrium processes jointly influence phase transformations, defect formation, and chemical reactions of carbon structures. These studies provide new opportunities to access metastable carbon phases and tailor diamond structures beyond the limits of conventional HPHT synthesis.

Through the integration of organic synthesis, high-pressure science and heavy-ion irradiation, my research seeks to establish new strategies for the rational design of advanced carbon materials for quantum technologies, sensing, and extreme-environment applications.

Research Areas include:

• Synthesis of Functionalized Diamonds
• Synthesis and Application of Carbon Nanostructures
• Carbon Structures at Extreme Conditions beyond HPHT