Chemical and Applied Condensed Matter Physics

The group gathers researchers with a common interest in the use of diffraction and other techniques such as neutron and Raman scattering, muSR and Mossbauer spectroscopies to investigate a wide range of materials, such as semiconductors, OLEDs and engineered materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a key technique for a significant part of the research developed in the group; being widely used across a number of disciplines, it promotes a variety of interdisciplinary collaborations on a regular basis with experimental and theoretical research groups. Long standing collaborations are established with computational physics groups of the Physics Department, as well as with several chemistry and pharmacy groups of the UC. Partnerships with industry are active, namely with pharmaceutical and electromechanical companies. Multidisciplinary research, in close connection with teams from the Arts Faculty and other Institutions like national museums and other universities (Universidade da Beira Interior and University of Florence, Italy).

Current projects

• MiCRoARTiS - Microwave Fingerprinting Artificial Molecular Motors in Virtual Isolation

Previous projects

Recent Publications

Papers

International Journals

1 - Synthesis, Structural, and Mechanical Properties of Alumina–Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanocomposites for Prospective Dental Ceramics
BFO. Costa, L. Durães, E. da Silva, I. Costa, V.A. Khomchenko, R. Vezo, A. Ramalho
Adv. Eng. Mater. 27(6), 2401843 (2025)

2 - Optimizing the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with pomegranate extract for antibacterial purposes: an innovative approach
Rocio Diaz-Puertas, Francisco Alvarez-Martinez, Enrique Rodríguez-Cañas, Fernando Borrás-Rocher, Alberto Falco, Artur Valente, José Paixão, Ricardo Mallavia
Bioinorg. Chem. Appl. accepted for publication (2025)

3 - Structural and High Dielectric Properties of La0.6Ba0.1Ce0.3Fe0.95Ni0.05O3 Multiferroic Perovskite for Electronic Applications
M.S. Eddine, M. Horchani, H. Dhahri, A. Omri, A. Benali, M. Taoufik, B.M.G. Melo, H.F. Sakeek, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graca, BFO Costa, R. Ben Younes
J. Inorg. Organomet. Polym. Mater. pre-print (2025)

4 - Structural and luminescent properties of a Cr3+/Sm3+ doped GdAlO3 orthorhombic perovskite for solid-state lighting applications
I. Elhamdi, H. Souissi, S. Kammoun, E. Dhahri, J. Pina, BFO Costa, ALB. Brito, R. Fausto, E. López-Lago
RSC Advances 15(3), 2066-2077 (2025)

5 - Co-doped FeNbO4: Simple synthesis, DFT calculations and electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline medium
RF Juca, ..., BFO Costa
J. Phys. Chem. Solids 202, 112649 (2025)

6 - X-ray compositional microanalysis and X-ray diffraction of Haltern 70 amphorae sherds
D. Pinheiro, M. Guerra, A.J.M. Silva, C. Stieghorst, BFO Costa
Appl. Phys. A Mater. Sci. Process. 131(4), 231 (2025)

7 - A comprehensive exploration of optical properties of GdAlO3: Cr3+
H. Souissi, S. Kammoun, E. Dhahri, J. Pina, B.F.O. Costa, A.L.B. Brito, R. Fausto
Opt. Mater. 162, 116841 (2025)

8 - Composition-, temperature-, and field- driven magnetic phase transitions in Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe1-xMnxO3 multiferroics
V. A. Khomchenko, M. Das, J. A. Paixão
J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 614, 172703 (2025)

9 - Optical and electric properties of the organic-inorganic hybrid bis (2-amino-5-picolinium) Tetrachlorocobaltate(II) [(C6H9N2)2CoCl4]
A. Ghoudi, I. Chaabane, Raja Naouari, A. Aydi, A. Oueslati, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa, T. Nikitin, J.A. Paixão, R. Fausto
Inorg. Chem. Commun. 168, 112925 (2024)

10 - Summerfield scaling model and conduction processes for the determination of the transport properties of the Ba0.25Sr0.25Fe0.25O4 ceramic
B. Abdelaoui, J. Massoudi, A. Benali, A. Oueslati, M. Bejar, E. Dhahri, MP Graca, MA Valente, M. Jemmali,
Physica B 681, 415854 (2024)

11 - Unveiling the impact of Fe-doping concentration on the local structure and morphological evolution of Cr2O3 nanoparticles
JM Attah-Baah, C Santos, RS Silva, JL Oliveira, R Jucá, BFO Costa, RS Matos, MT Escote, RS Silva, MVS Rezende, NS Ferreira
Ceram. Int. 50(19), 35714-35724 (2024)

12 - Ni50Mn37.5Sn12.5 Heusler Alloy: Influence of Co Addition on the Structure, Martensitic Transition, and Magnetic Properties
A Bekhouche, S Alleg, K Dadda, BFO Costa, A Wederni, JJ Suñol
Magnetochemistry 10(8), 59 (2024)

13 - Synthesis, characterization, and sensitivity tests of La0.8Ba0.1Bi0.1FeO3 nanoparticles towards a few parts-per-billion of acetone gas
E.M. Benali, L. Saher, A. Benali, M. Bejar, E. Dhahri, J.T. Wu, L. Peng, P.M. Gordo, J. Pina, BFO Costa
Heliyon 10 (5), e26778 (2024)

14 - Structural, Dielectric, Electrical, and Magnetic Characteristics of Bi0.8Ba0.1Er0.1Fe0.96Cr0.02Mn0.02O3 Nanoparticles
A. Bougoffa, E.M. Benali, A. Benali, A. Tozri, E. Dhahri, M. Graça, M. Valente, BFO Costa
Crystals 14 (5), 445 (2024)

15 - Magnetic properties and coupled spin-phonon behavior of M-type Sr1-xSmxFe12O19 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) nanoparticles
MAP Buzinaro, C. dos Santos, BFO Costa, M.A. Macedo, R.S. Matos, N.S. Ferreira
Ceram. Int. 50 (14), 25718-25729 (2024)

16 - Tension On and Off in Atwood´s Machine: The Advantage of Video Analysis
N. Campos, S. Domingos, PSP. Silva, M. Silva
Phys. Teach. 62 (1), 32-36 (2024)

17 - Tuning the AIE Properties of Di-tert-Butyl-diphenyldibenzofulvene Derivatives
Carla Cunha, Mariana Peixoto, José A. Paixão, Marta Pineiro, J. Sérgio Seixas de Melo
J. Phys. Chem. C 128(3), 1156-1164 (2024)

18 - Dual-function starch aerogels: Nutraceutical carriers for iron and folic acid delivery
G Clare, P Simoes, BFO Costa, L Duraes
J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol. 100, 106069 (2024)

19 - Yttrium immobilization through biomineralization with phosphate by the resistant strain Mesorhizobium qingshengii J19
C Coimbra, R Branco, PSP da Silva, JA Paixao, JMF Martins, L Spadini, P Morais
J. Appl. Microbiol. 135(7), lxae156 (2024)

20 - Mössbauer Studies of Haltern 70 Amphorae from Castro do Vieito, Northwest of Portugal
BFO Costa, FE Wagner, W Häusler, C Stieghorst, AJM da Silva
Crystals 14(9), 786 (2024)

21 - Particle Size Effect on Optical and Gas-Sensing Properties of La0.67Ca0.2Ba0.13Fe0.97M0.03O3 (M = Ti4+, Mn3+, and Cr3+) Compounds
A. Dhahri, H. Saoudi, S. Gavinho, A. Benali, N. Abdelmoula, R. Dhahri, L. Peng, J. Wu, J. Pina, B.F.O. Costa
Crystals 14 (2), 173 (2024)

22 - Structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and impedance spectroscopic properties of Ni0.5Fe2.5O4 nanoparticles synthesized by the self-combustion method
I. El Heda, J. Massoudi, R. Dhahri, F. Bahri, E. Dhahri, K. Khirouni, B.F.O. Costa, O.M. Lemine
Physica E. 158, 115904 (2024)

23 - Optical characterization and defect-induced behavior in ZnAl 1.999 Ho 0.001 O 4 spinel: Unraveling novel insights into structure, morphology, and spectroscopic features
I Souissi Elhamdi, O Taktak, S Kammoun, E Dhahri, J Pina, BFO Costa, E López-Lago
Helyon 10(8), e29241 (2024)

24 - Comprehensive characterization and optoelectronic significance of Ho3+ and Cr3+ Co-doped ZnAl2O4 spinels
I. Elhamdi, H. Souissi, S. Kammoun, E. Dhahri, J. Pina, BFO Costa, E. López-Lago
Dalton Trans. 53 (18), 7721-7733 (2024)

25 - Failure analysis of fatigue crack propagation in specimens of AlSi10Mg aluminum alloy produced by L-PBF: Effect of different heat treatments
R.F. Fernandes, J.S. Jesus, L.P. Borrego, J.A.M. Ferreira, R. Branco, J.D. Costa, A.C. Batista, M.J. Marques
Eng. Fail. Anal. 163 (B), 108595 (2024)

26 - On the mechanochemical synthesis of C-scorpionates with an oxime moiety and their application in the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction
C Gomes, M Costa, SMM Lopes, BA Nogueira, R Fausto, JA Paixao, TMVDE Melo, LMDRS Martins, M Pineiro
New J. Chem. 48, 874-886 (2024)

27 - Synthesis of Highly Luminescent Silica-Coated Upconversion Nanoparticles from Lanthanide Oxides or Nitrates Using Co-Precipitation and Sol-Gel Methods
A Iglesias-Mejuto, A Lamy-Mendes, J Pina, BFO Costa, C Garcia-Gonzalez, L Duraes, V Paun
Gels 10 (1), 13 (2024)

28 - Stress Evaluation Through the Layers of a Fibre-Metal Hybrid Composite by IHD: An Experimental Study
J.P. Nobre, T.C. Smit, R. Reid, Q. Qhola, T. Wu, T. Niendorf
Exp. Mech. 64, 487-500 (2024)

29 - Reentrant Spin Glass and Magnetic Skyrmions in the Co7Zn7Mn6−xFex β-Mn-Type Alloys
José F. Malta, Marta S. C. Henriques, José A. Paixão, António P. Gonçalves
Magnetochemistry 10(61), 1-19 (2024)

30 - Chitosan-silica composite aerogel for the adsorption of cupric ions
João P. Vareda, Pedro M. C. Matias, José A. Paixão, Dina Murtinho, Artur J. M. Valente, Luisa Durães
Gels 10(3), 192(1)-16 (2024)

31 - Preparation of novel silica-clay mineral aerogel nanocomposites with outstanding thermal insulation performance
A. Lamy-Mendes, CMR Almeida, BFO Costa, L. Duraes
Ceram. Int. 50 (14), 26049-26058 (2024)

32 - Formulation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Mixed-Matrix Scaffold for Tissue Engineering
R. Lopes, P.M. Gordo, BFO Costa, P. Alves
Macromol 4 (2) (2024)

33 - Local Environment and Migration Paths of the Proton Defect in Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Studied by Ab Initio Calculations and Muon-Spin Spectroscopy
AG Marinopoulos, RC Vilao, HV Alberto, JM Gil, RBL Vieira, JS Lord
Hydrogen 5(3), 374-386 (2024)

34 - Prediction study of structural, thermal, and optical characterization of Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 cubic spinel synthesized via sol-gel method for energy storage
A. Messaoudi, A. Omri, A. Benali, MA Ghebouli, A. Djemli, M. Fatmi, A. Habila, A. Alothman, N. Hamdaoui, R. Ajjel, BFO Costa, MFP Graca, K. Khirouni
J. Korean Phys. Soc. 84 (12), 958-968 (2024)

35 - Dielectric and structural properties of Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nanoferrites: sol-gel synthesis
A. Messaoudi, A. Omri, A. Benali, MA Ghebouli, A. Djemli, M. Fatmi, N. Hamdaoui, R. Ajjel, M. Habila, A. Alothman
J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. (2024)

36 - Unveiling the red and brownish-green polymorphs of a novel ROY derivative: 2-(4-((3-cyanothiophen-2-yl)amino)-3-nitrophenyl)acetic acid
Bernardo Nogueira, Susana Lopes, Ana Clara Beltran Rodrigues, M. Ermelinda Eusébio, Vânia André, M. Teresa Duarte, José Paixão, Teresa Pinho e Melo, Rui Fausto
Cryst. Growth Des. 24(3), 947-962 (2024)

37 - Biochar ageing effects on soil respiration, biochar wettability and gaseous CO2 adsorption
G. Ojeda, J.M. Gil, S Mattana, J. Bachmann, K. Quenea, AJFN Sobral
Mitig. Adapt. Strateg. Glob. Change. 29 (2), 11 (2024)

38 - Avoiding pits on the energy landscape - alternative strategies for stabilizing nateglinide co-amorphous systems
J. Silva, M. Jasiurkowska-Delaporte, PSP Silva, M.R. Silva, M. Eusébio, M. Rosado
Cryst. Eng. Comm. 26, 3653-3664 (2024)

39 - Exploring the structural and optical properties of lithium-chromium phosphate Li3Cr2(PO3)4
H Souissi, S Kammoun, E Dhahri, E López-Lago, BFO Costa
Helyon 10(16), e36188 (2024)

40 - Evolution of the ionisation energy with the stepwise growth of chiral clusters of [4]helicene
Sérgio R. Domingos, Denis S. Tikhonov, Amanda L. Steber, Patrick Eschenbach, Sebastien Gruet, Helgi R. Hrodmarsson, Kévin Martin, Gustavo A. Garcia, Laurent Nahon, Johannes Neugebauer, Narcis Avarvari, Melanie Schnell
Nat. Commun. 11, Article number: 4928 (2024)

41 - Correlation between the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Bi1-yCayFe1-xMnxO3 multiferroics near the polar-anti(non)polar phase boundary
V. A. Khomchenko, M. Das, J. A. Paixão
Appl. Sci. 14(21), 9991 (2024)

42 - Investigation of the solar cell materials Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSnS4 with muon spin spectroscopy and density-functional calculations
RC Vilao, AG Marinopoulos, DG Santos, HV Alberto, JM Gil, PW Mengyan, M Kauk-Kuusik, JS Lord, A Weidinger
J. Appl. Phys. 136(5), 055704 (2024)

43 - Modified Biochar Materials From Eucalyptus globulus Wood as Efficient CO2 Adsorbents and Recyclable Catalysts
S Zomorodbakhsh, ACS Gonzalez, IG Cruz, G Piccirillo, TMR Maria, IS Marques, AF Peixoto, JM Gil, F Ferreira, RMB Carrilho
Adv. Sustain. Syst., 2400431 (2024)

Portuguese Journals

44 - 50 anos da Sociedade Portuguesa de Física
J.A. Paixão
Gazeta de Física 47(2), 4 (2024)

45 - Manuel Valadares e Jean Perrin
J.A. Paixão
Gazeta de Física 47(1), 5-6 (2024)

Proceedings

International Conferences

46 - Ranolazine: crystal structure determination and investigation of its metastable polymorphs
L. Chelazzi, S. Ciattini, E. Fantechi, J.F.C. Silva, PSP. Silva, M.R. Silva, M.E.S. Eusebio, M.T.S. Rosado
Acta Crystallogr. A 80 (S), e663 (2024)

Communications

Oral

47 - Dielectric Relaxation in the La0.6Ce0.2Ba0.2FeO3 Perovskite: Correlation with Microstructure and Charge Transport Mechanisms
A. Omri, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graça, B.F.O. Costa
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4-6 July (2024)

48 - Enhancing the Multifunctionality of Revived Double Perovskites for Device Applications
A. Saidi, A. Mabrouki, E. Dhahri, K. Khirouni, B.F.O. Costa
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

49 - Study of the Effect of Bi Substitution on the Structural and Electrical Behavior of Spinel Materials
A. Slimani, A. Bougoffa, M. Krichena, E. Dhahri, K. Khirouni, B.F.O. Costa,
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

50 - Experimental and Theoretical Study of Structural Magnetic and Electronic Properties of BaFe12O19
A.A. Hajji, A. Mabrouki, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

51 - Advanced Characterization to Access End-of-Life Li-ion Batteries Black Mass
C. O. Fernandes, X. Pinheiro, A. J. N. Oliveira, K. Oliveira, J. P. Teixeira, M. J. Regufe, V. Sousa, R. C. Vilão, A. Pinto, P. M. P. Salomé
CMD31-General Conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the European Physical Society. Braga, Portugal. 02-06 September (2024)

52 - Starch aerogels as carriers for iron and folic acid supplementation
G. Clare, P. Simões, BFO. Costa, L. Durães
7th International Seminar on Aerogels, Hamburgo, Alemanha, 18-20 September (2024)

53 - The effects of Mg-substitution on the magnetic and structural properties of SrFe12O19 nanoparticles
N. Ferreira, M. Macêdo, BFO Costa
XVIII Latin American Conference on the Applications of the Mössbauer Effect (LACAME), Lima, Peru, 14-18 October (2024)

54 - Optical Characterization and Defect-Induced Behavior in ZnAl1.999Ho0.001O4 Spinel: Unraveling Novel Insights into Structure, Morphology, and Spectroscopic Features
I. Elhamdi, H. Souissi, O. Taktak, S. Kammoun, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa, E. Lopez-Lago
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

55 - Atividades experimentais com supercondensadores
José António Paixão, Fernando Nogueira
5ª Conferência de Física de Países de Língua Portuguesa. Coimbra, Portugal. 8-10 September. (2024)

56 - Recursos computacionais para o ensino de Física da Matéria Condensada
José António Paixão, Fernando Nogueira
5ª Conferência de Física de Países de Língua Portuguesa. Coimbra, Portugal. 8-10 September (2024)

57 - Neutron and resonant X-ray scattering study of the modulated magnetic structures of ErFe4Al8 and NdFe4Al8
José António Paixão, Manuela Ramos Silva, António Pereira Gonçalves, Carsten Detlefs
CMD31-General Conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the European Physical Society, 02-06 September (2024)

58 - A Comprehensive Exploration of Optical Properties of Tri-Doped GdAlO3:Sm2+, Er2+, Cr3+ for Diverse Applications Across Multiple Disciplines
M. Bessaoud, I. Elhamdi, H. Souissi, E. Dhahri, S. Kammoun, B.F.O. Costa, E- Lopez-Lag
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

59 - Study of the Magnetic and Structural Properties of Strontium Hexaferrites
M. Hantech, A.A. Hajji, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

60 - Analysis of the Structural and Dielectric Properties of La0.6Ba0.1Ce0.3FeO3 Multiferroic Perovskite for Electronic Applications
M.S. Eddine, A. Omri, A. Benali, M. Taoufik, B.M.G. Melo, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graça, B.F.O. Costa, R.B. Younes
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

61 - Quantum tunnelling in an locked molecular rotor
Nuno Campos, Rita Roque, Sérgio Domingos, Elisa M. Brás
Física 2024 - 24 Conferência Nacional de Física, 11-147 September (2024)

62 - Symmetry Breaking of Nuclear Quadrupole Couplings during Tetrel Bond Formation in Supramolecular Synthons
Nuno M. Campos, Rita J. C. Roque, Elisa M. Brás, Tiddo J. Mooibroek, Melanie Schnell, Sérgio R. Domingos
Física 2024 - 24 Conferência Nacional de Física. Coimbra, Portugal. 11-14 September 2024 (2024)

63 - How a simple oxime-based molecular switch breaks theory
Rita J. C. Roque, Nuno M. Campos, Elisa M. Brás, Sérgio R. Domingos
Física 2024 - 24 Conferência Nacional de Física. Coimbra, Portugal. 11-14 September (2024)

64 - Muonium Reaction in MgO: a case study for the doorway model
Rui C. Vilão, Ali Roonkiani, Apostolos G. Marinopoulos, Helena V. Alberto, João M. Gil, Ricardo B L Vieira, Robert Scheuermann, Alois Weidinger
Física 2024 - 24 Conferência Nacional de Física. Coimbra Portugal. 11-14 September (2024)

Poster

65 - Mössbauer spectrometry, positron spectroscopy and magnetic studies on La1-2xBaxBixFeO3 perovskites
E.M. Benali, A. Benali, M. Bejar, E. Dhahri, P. Gordo, BFO Costa
24ª Conferência Nacional de Física, Física 2024, Coimbra, Portugal, 11-14 september (2024)

66 - Influence of Sr doping on structural, magnetic and optical properties of M-type barium hexagonal ferrites
BFO Costa, A. Benali, B.J.C. Vieira, J.C. Waerenborgh, J. Pina, Y. Marouani, E. Dhahri
24ª Conferência Nacional de Física, Física 2024, Coimbra, Portugal, 11-14 september (2024)

67 - Mössbauer studies of Haltern 70 amphorae from Castro do Vieito, Northwest of Portugal
BFO Costa, W. Häusler, A.J.M. Silva
24ª Conferência Nacional de Física, Física 2024, Coimbra, Portugal, 11-14 september (2024)

68 - X-ray compositional microanalysis and X-ray diffraction of halter 70 amphorae sherds
Daniel Pinheiro, Mauro Guerra, António J.M. Silva, Benilde F.O. Costa
24ª Conferência Nacional de Física, Física 2024, Coimbra, Portugal, 11-14 september (2024)

69 - Effect of Mn substitution on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Sr doped bismuth ferrite.
M.Das, J.A. Paixão, V.A. Khomchenko
CMD31-General Conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the European Physical Society. Braga, Portugal. 2-6 September (2024)

70 - Unusual Magnetic Transformations Induced by Mn Doping in Sr- substituted BiFeO3
M.Das, J.A. Paixão, V.A. Khomchenko
Física 2024 - 24ª Conferência Nacional de Física. Coimbra, Portugal. 11-14 September (2024)

71 - Investigating temperature dependent changes in octupolar molecules: conformation, aromaticity and hyperpolarizability
Pedro S. Pereira Silva, Mauro A. Pereira Gonçalves, Nuno M. F. Campos, José A. Paixão, Manuela Ramos Silva
Física 2024 - 24 Conferência Nacional de Física. Coimbra, Portugal. 11-14 September (2024)

72 - Enhancement of the Magnetocaloric Effect by Deficit in a Site at Room Temperature and Correlation with Transport Properties
M. Wali, A. Hajji, E. Dhahri, BFO Costa
7th International Conference on Smart Materials and Spectroscopy, Monastir, Tunisia, 4 - 6 July (2024)

Thesis

PhD thesis

73 - Correlação das propriedades elétricas e magnéticas de novos compostos à base de titânio e manganésio
Amira Ben Salah Saidi
Universidade de Sfax, Tunísia, 20 December (2024)