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
Previous projects
Recent Publications
Papers
International Journals
1 - Unveiling of the structural, optical and dielectric proprieties of cobaltite compound La0.57Nd0.1Sr0.18Ag0.15CoO3 for optoelectronic application
T. Benslimen, H. Issaoui, M. Brahmi, F. Issaoui, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa, B.A. Nogueira, R. Fausto
J. Mol. Struct. 1351(2), 144283 (2026)
2 - Butterfly-Shaped Donor–Benzophenone Systems: Probing Excited-State Dynamics by Time-Resolved Spectroscopy and Computational Methods
Carla Cunha, José A. Paixão, J.Sérgio Seixas de Melo
Dyes Pigments 244, 113124 (2026)
3 - Enhancing Norfloxacin´s solubility: Development and characterization of new solid-state forms with p-aminobenzoic acid
G.D. Costa, P.O. Ferreira, J.A. Baptista, PSP Silva, R.A.E. Castro, F.J. Caires, M.E.S. Eusébio
J. Solid State Chem. 353, 125698 (2026)
4 - CrFe2Ge2: Investigation of novel ferromagnetic material of -type crystal structure
P.L.S. Cambalame, B.J.C. Vieira, J.C. Waerenborgh, P.S.P. da Silva, J.A. Paixão
J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 639, 173745 (2026)
5 - A thorough and Comprehensive Study of Novel Phthaloperinone Derivatives: From Synthesis and Property Evaluation to Applications in Light-Emitting Diodes
Ana C. Amorim, Jorge Morgado, João P. Prates Ramalho, Hugo Cruz, Carla Cunha, José A. Paixão, J. Sérgio Seixas de Melo, Susana M. M. Lopes, Luís C. Branco, Anthony J. Burke
Mater. Adv. 6, 9556 (2025)
6 - Dielectric spectroscopy and electrothermal modeling of LISICON structures: understanding ion transport mechanisms
S. Aydi, H. Dardouri, S. Znaidia, B.F.O. Costa, A. Oueslati, A. Aydi
Ionics Early Access (2025)
7 - Promising multifunctional doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles: impact of partial multi-substitution on structural transformation
EM Benali, L Saidi, S Haddad, SR Gavinho, A Benali, E Dhahri, MPF Graca, BFO Costa
Ceram. Int. 51(22) B, 37622-37633 (2025)
8 - Microhydration Dynamics in Molecular Photoswitches: Equilibrium State Reconfiguration in Imine-Based Architectures
N.M. Campos, R.J.C. Roque, P. Pinacho, C.H. Pollok, C. Merten, PSP Silva, M Silva, M. Schnell, S.R. Domingos
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (31) (2025)
9 - Mössbauer and Optical Investigations on Sr Doped M-Type BaFe12O19 Hexaferrites Produced via Autocombustion
B.F.O. Costa, A. Benali, B.J.C. Vieira, J.C. Waerenborgh, J. Pina, Y. Marouani, E. Dhahri
Crystals 15 (4), 291 (2025)
10 - 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)
11 - Comprehensive study of magnetic and dielectric properties at near room temperature of Ba1-xSrxFe12O19 (x=0, 0.5, 1) hexaferrite
A. Dhahri, A.B. Hajji, Y. Moualhi, R. Dhahri, N. Abdelmoula, BFO Costa
Phys. B Condens. Matter. 772, 418082 (2025)
12 - The effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) addition on structural, electrical and dielectric properties of MnCo2O4 cobaltite system
A. Dhahri, Y. Moualhi, A. Zaouali, BFO Costa
Ceram. Int. 51(24) B, 42973-42989 (2025)
13 - Advanced characterization of the structural and electrical properties of La0.6Ce0.2Ba0.2FeO3 synthesized via the sol-gel method
H. Dhahri, M.S. Eddine, C. Trifi, A. Omri, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graca, B.F.O. Costa, R.B. Younes
J. Korean Phys. Soc. Early Access (2025)
14 - Deciphering conduction mechanisms and microstructural properties in La0.8Sr0.1Ba0.1FeO3 compound: insights into charge carrier dynamics
H. Dhahri, Y. Moualhi, M.S. Eddine, A. Omri, A. Tozri, N. Zaidi, H. Rahmouni, B.F.O. Costa, M.P.F. Graça
Bull. Mater. Sci. 48(4), 142 (2025)
15 - Structural, optical, and dielectric studies on transition metals doping (Cu, Ni) in MgFe2O4 ferrites
S. Dhahri, A. Omri, M.H. Dhaou, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graça, A.B. Brito, R. Fausto, J. Pina, B.F.O. Costa
Ceram. Int. 51(27B), 53354-53368 (2025)
16 - An innovative approach based on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using pomegranate peel extract for antibacterial purposes
Rocio Diaz-Puertas, Francisco Alvarez-Martinez, Enrique Rodríguez-Cañas, Fernando Borrás-Rocher, Alberto Falco, Artur Valente, José Paixão, Ricardo Mallavia
Bioinorg. Chem. Appl., 2009069 (2025)
17 - 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. 35, 5078-5091 (2025)
18 - Thermal, structural, and dielectric properties of La0.6Ba0.1Ce0.3FeO3 perovskite synthesized by sol-gel method
M.S. Eddine, A. Omri, I. Hammami, A. Benali, B.M.G. Melo, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graca, B.F.O. Costa
J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. Early Access (2025)
19 - 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)
20 - High performance double perovskites of Cs2InAgBr6 and Cs2InAgCl6 structural electronic optical and thermoelectric properties for next generation photovoltaics
M. Fatmi, K. Bouferrache, M.A. Ghebouli, B. Ghebouli, F.K. Alanazi, M.D. Albaqami, S. Mohammad, A. Benali
Sci. Rep. 15 (1), 20851 (2025)
21 - Unanticipated Reactivity Towards Nucleophilic Attack in the Synthesis of Saccharyl-1,3,4-Thiadiazolyl Conjugates: Structure and Mechanistic Insights
Bruno Guerreiro, Daniel Carvalho, Jaime Coelho, José Paixão, Luís Frija, Maria Lurdes Cristiano
J. Org. Chem. 90(46), 16301-16309 (2025)
22 - Exploring the structural, optoelectronic behavior and non-linear optical response of BaFe12O19 M-type hexaferrite material as a promising solar cell absorber
A.B. Hajji, A. Dhahri, M. Hantech, O.R. Alzoubi, R. Dhahri, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa
Mater. Chem. Phys. 347, 131472 (2025)
23 - Analysis of structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of Sr0.5Ca0.5Fe12O19 and Ba0.5Ca0.5Fe12O19 for advanced technological application
M. Hantech, R. Dhahri, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa
Ceram. Int. 51(20B), 31734-31746 (2025)
24 - Synthesis and structure of novel pyrimidine-thioethers: structural effects on reactivity along with an unpredicted dimethylamination reaction
Inês C. C. Costa, Luís M. T. Frija, André F. Augusto, José A. Paixão, Maria L. S. Cristiano
ChemPhysChem 26(18), e202500308 (2025)
25 - Synthesis of chiral spirocyclopropanepenicillanates via [2+1] annulation of 6-alkylidenepenicillanates and sulfur ylides
João Gonçalves, Ricardo Carvalho, Jéssica Macedo, Paloma Gonçalves, Inês Bártolo, Américo Alves, José Paixão, Nuno Taveira, Teresa Pinho e Melo
J. Org. Chem. 90(29), 10225-10234 (2025)
26 - 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)
27 - Structural evolution and magnetic behavior of Ba- and Mn-substituted BiFeO3: Impurity-driven artifacts and intrinsic limitations
M. Das, B. F. O. Costa, J. A. Paixão, V. A. Khomchenko
J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 36(33), 2129 (2025)
28 - Magnetic and structural domain walls dynamics in a two magnetic sublattice system
M. M. Gomes, A. S. Silva, R. Vilarinho, J. Agostinho Moreira, M. Mihalik Jr., M. Mihalik, C. S. Davies, A. Kirilyuk, J. A. Paixão, M. A. Carpenter
Phys. Rev. B 112, 224104 (2025)
29 - Exploring the interaction of high-performance triazine-based porous organic polymers with antibiotics and carbon dioxide
P.M.C Matias, S.C.C. Nunes, J.M. Gil, M.J. Ferreira, A.A.C.C. Pais, D. Murtinho, A.J.M. Valente
Chem. Eng. J. 526, 171078 (2025)
30 - Defect-enhanced Visible-light Photocatalysis in α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Synthesized via a Maytenus rigida-assisted Sol-Gel Method
RS Matos, LEB Jr Gemaque, AGV Brandao, GP Batista, MDS Monteiro, NO Chaves, MAV Heringer, EMB Saitovitch, RD Santos, JDP Serna, YT Xing, BFO Costa, et al.
Appl. Surf. Sci. 714, 164420 (2025)
31 - Advanced spinel ferrite Co0.6Zn0.3Ca0.1Fe2O4 nanoparticles: Structural, optical, and electrical insights for functional applications
A. Messaoudi, A. Omri, N. Hamdaoui, A. Benali, R. Ajjel, M.F.P. Graca, B.F.O. Costa, K. Khirouni
J. Aust. Ceram. Soc. Early Access (2025)
32 - PISA: Photon-induced Scintillation Amplifier with Ne-CF4 mixtures for high-radiopure gas photomultipliers
C.M.B Monteiro, R.D.P. Mano, R.J.C. Roque
Radiat. Phys. Chem. 235, 112862 (2025)
33 - Luminescence and energy transfer processes in Gd0.99Er0.01Al0.995Cr0.05O3
F. Mselmi, A. Hadded, H. Souissi, S. Kammoun, J. Pina, B.F.O. Costa
RSC Advances 15(36), 29238-29253 (2025)
34 - Stress Determination by IHD in Additively Manufactured Austenitic Steel Samples: A Validation Study
J.P. Nobre, M.J. Marques, A.C. Batista
Metals 15(5), 485 (2025)
35 - Sr-doped LaBaFeO3 nanoparticles: structural characteristics and application in gas sensing of acetone and ethanol vapors
A. Omri, A. Benali, A. Tozri, N. Zaidi, E. Dhahri, L. Peng, JT Wu, BFO Costa
J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron 36(26), 1729 (2025)
36 - Comparative study of the impact of heat treatment on the microstructure, morphology, optical and dielectric properties of nanostructured Co-Mn ferrite
J. Othmani, A. Dhahri, S. Hcini, M.L. Bouazizi, K. Khirouni, E. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa
RSC Advances 15(38), 31853-31864 (2025)
37 - Integrated processing platform for the production, recovery and separation of bio-produced tellurium particles
Pedro Farias, Inês Costa, Alexandre M. S. Jorge, Rita Branco, Paula V. Morais, José António Paixão, Jorge F. B. Pereira
Sep. Purif. Technol. 370, 133202 (2025)
38 - Charge density and quantum-chemical study of triphenylguanidine and triphenylguanidinium trifluoroacetate
Pedro S. Pereira Silva, Manuela Ramos Silva, Mauro A. Pereira Gonçalves, Nuno M. F. Campos, José A. Paixão
Struct. Chem. (2025)
39 - 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)
40 - Faster than g, an experiment for the classroom
R. Roque, Pedro S. P. Silva, MR Silva
Phys. Educ. 60(4), 045022 (2025)
41 - Cold-Captured Dynamic Hydration Networks in Oxime-Based Photoswitches: A Theoretical Challenge Uncovered by Rotational Spectroscopy
R.J.C. Roque, N.M. Campos, M. Gouveia, S.R. Domingos
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Early Access, e202513560 (2025)
42 - Co0.85Bi0.15Fe1.9X0.1O4 (X = Ce4+, Sm3+, Ho3+, and Er3+) Nanoparticles with Selective Anticancer Activity: A Structural and Morphological Approach
L. Saher, A. Benali, S. Haddad, E. Dhahri, M.P.F. Graca, B.F.O. Costa, L.A. Helguero, A.M.S. Silva
Crystals 15(5), 482 (2025)
43 - Synthesis and magnetic characterization of mixed CoFe2O4 spinel ferrite: Insights into structural properties, magnetic entropy, and tricritical behavior
L. Saidi, ABA Hajji, S. Hadded, A. Benali, E.K. Hlil, MPF Graça, E. Dhahri, BFO Costa
J. Alloys Compd. 1048, 185083 (2025)
44 - Relaxation of Nateglinide-Pyridinecarboxamide Coamorphous Systems to Cocrystals: Synthon Competition with Acid, Amide, and Pyridine Groups
J.F.C. Silva, A. Drzewicz, M. Galazka, E. Juszynska-Galazka, PSP. Silva, M.R. Silva, M.F.M. Piedade, M.E.S. Eusébio, M.T.S. Rosado
Cryst. Growth Des. Early Access (2025)
45 - 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)
46 - Multifunctional lead-free La0.67Ca0.2Ba0.13Fe0.97Cr0.03O3 perovskite nanoceramics: Comprehensive structural, electrical, dielectric and gas sensing analysis
M. Toumi, A. Dhahri, A. Benali, R. Dhahri, B.F.O. Costa, E. Dhahri
J. Alloys Compd. 1048, 185035 (2025)
47 - 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)
48 - Complex magnetic behavior in the antipolar phase of Bi1-xLaxFe1-xMnxO3
V.A. Khomchenko, J.A. Paixão
Mater. Lett. 398, 138995 (2025)
49 - Muonium reaction in MgO: A showcase for the final steps of ion implantation
R.C. Vilao, A. Roonkiani, A.G. Marinopoulos, H.V. Alberto, J.M. Gil, R.B.L. Vieira, R. Scheuermann, A. Weidinger
SciPost Phys. Core. 8(3), 056 (2025)
50 - Structure, IR spectrum and UV-induced photochemistry of a pyridyl-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole-thione in Ar matrix and intermolecular interactions in the neat crystalline phase
İsa Sıdır, Susy Lopes, José António Paixão, Timur Nikitin, António Jorge Lopes Jesus, Rui Fausto
J. Photochem. Photobiol., A. 470, 116610 (2025)
Communications
Invited
51 - The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025
José A. Paixão
Café com Física 29 oct (2025)
Oral
52 - From X-rays to atomic physics and beyond
J.A. Paixão
5th International Conference on the History of Physics, Coimbra, 29-31 May 2025 (2025)
Poster
53 - Novel Pyridyl-Saccharinates as Selective Ligands of Metal Cations
Bruno C. Guerreiro, Joana F. Leal, José A. Paixão, Maria L. S. Cristiano
PhyChem, Faro, 28-30 April (2025)
54 - Synthesis of novel indolyl-functionalized thiazoloisoindolinones as potential p53 activators
Susana M. M. Lopes, Caroline Fortuna, José A. Paixão, Fernanda A. Rosa, Lucília Saraiva, Teresa M. V. D. Pinho e Melo
XXIX Encontro Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa de Química, Coimbra, 20-23 julho (2025)
Other
55 - Single-crystal XRD studies of conformational and color polymorphism
J.A. Paixão
Seminar, IKU-SPECTRA Molecular Sciences and Spectroscopy Applied Research Center.
Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Türkiye 2 Oct (2025)
