About us

Our team focuses on chemistry of materials and processes for energy storage, solar energy conversion, and electrosynthesis, with a strong commitment to sustainable innovation. We develop and scale up advanced materials and fabrication techniques, combining multiple energy technologies to build disruptive, real-world solutions. Our activities include cutting-edge research on potassium-ion batteries and electrochemical ammonia synthesis..

As a part of the Electrochemistry Group at Politecnico di Torino, we operate in newly equipped laboratories at the Environment Park in Turin.

We are currently looking for motivated PhD students and postdoctoral researchers eager to contribute to frontier research in energy and sustainable technologies.

Federico Bella

Full Professor of Chemical Foundations of Technologies at the Politecnico di Torino.
Federico Bella leads the activities on post-lithium batteries and electrochemical ammonia production in the Electrochemistry Group. He has published more than 140 papers and counts a h-index of 77. He has received awards from the most important worldwide scientific associations, such as the International Society of Electrochemistry (2023 Tajima Prize), the Royal Society of Chemistry (2021 Horizon Prize), the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (2019 Piontelli International Award), etc. He is coordinating an ERC Starting Grant project (SuN2rise), with an overall fund of 1.5 M-eur, and has recently launched the first Italian research laboratory on potassium-based batteries thanks to a 1.9 Meur fund within the FISA scheme. He is the Vice-President of the Italian Chemical Society.

Our team

Sara Garcia-Ballesteros
Post Doc

I am a MSCA post-doctoral researcher working on electrocatalysis, with my main activity focused on electrochemical ammonia synthesis from nitrogenous species at mild conditions. My academic background includes a double BSc in Oceanography and Environmental Sciences and a MSc in Water Management from the University of Cádiz (Spain). I earned my PhD at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, where I worked on advanced oxidation processes for treating complex water matrices, supported by a competitive fellowship from the Spanish Government. After completing my PhD, I continued as a postdoctoral researcher at the same university, contributing to the development of water treatment monitoring tools. In 2020, I joined the University of Zagreb (Croatia) through a project funded by the Valencia Government, focusing on the optimization of photocatalytic water treatment processes. In 2022, I moved to Politecnico di Torino (Italy) to work on electrochemical nitrogen and nitrate reduction for green ammonia production. In 2023, I was awarded both a Young Researchers project funded by the Italian Government and a prestigious MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. My research has resulted in 23 publications (h-index 15). I have also undertaken international research stays at the University of La Plata (Argentina) and the University of Turin (Italy) during my doctoral studies.

Anna Mangini
Post Doc

I am a post-doc Researcher investigating the lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction reaction for ammonia electrosynthesis. My main activity involves electrolyte engineering towards process performance optimization, involving also the application of statistical methodologies such as design of experiments. Formerly, in my MSc thesis I explored silicon-based anodic materials and their integration with lithium-sulfur batteries. Subsequently, as a research fellow, I studied lithium-metal batteries and hybrid devices for applications requiring high power and high energy density. I completed both my MSc in Chemical Engineering and my BSc in Materials Engineering at Politecnico di Torino. During my PhD path in Materials Science and Technology, I spent four months at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Copenhagen, working with Professor Chorkendorff’s SurfCat group on the ammonia electrosynthesis in a pressurized setup. I have published 4 research articles, and I presented my work at 5 international conferences and at 6 national congresses with an oral contribution.

Sabrina Trano
PhD student

I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Technology, co-supervised by Prof. Carlotta Francia, working on potassium batteries. Formerly, I studied Energy Engineering at Politecnico of Torino, then I worked as research fellow for one year. My main activity regards the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of all the component of potassium batteries. Being a different electrochemistry with respect to lithium batteries, I am purposely designing anodes, electrolyte, and cathodes to be used in potassium-based cells. On this purpose, I’ve spent a six months visiting period at POLYMAT (Basque Country) working on the synthesis of organic cathodes for potassium batteries. During these years, I’ve pubblished the results of my research activity in 8 papers, one of which has been awarded by Wiley as Top Downloaded Paper in 2022.

Alessandro Padua
Research Fellow

I am a research fellow involved in the synthesis and characterization of catalysts, particularly oxides and metal-organic frameworks, for the production of ammonia through the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrates. My activity lies in between Prof. Serena Esposito group on catalysis development and Prof. Bella’s team on electrochemical processes.
Formerly, I studied Chemical and Sustainable Process Engineering at Politecnico di Torino. I have 1 publication in an international journal.

Giorgio Montinaro
PhD student

I am a PhD student, co-supervised by Prof. Silvia Bodoardo, of the National Doctorate course in Materials, Sustainable Processes and Systems for the Energy Transition. After obtaining a BSc in Chemical and Food Engineering, I obtained a MSc in Materials Engineering. My ongoing research focuses on optimizing the composition and production processes of waterborne cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, with particular attention to LNMO and LMFP materials and binder systems compatible with them. Currently, I participate in the European GIGAGREEN project, aimed at developing sustainable production processes for lithium-ion battery electrodes. The future objective is to contribute to the implementation of sustainable technologies for the energy transition.
I won the Best Poster Award at ElectRObatt 2024 and I published 2 papers in international journals.

Sara Domenici
PhD student

I am a 2nd year PhD student working on materials for energy conversion and storage, co-supervised by Prof. Teresa Gatti. My main activity regards the synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional nanomaterials inks and thin films for photoelectrocatalytic applications, but I also work on integrated light harvesting and storage devices and piezoresistive sensors. Formerly, I studied Chemistry at the University of Padua and Justus Liebig University Giessen. My research has been collected in 2 publications as a first author and 3 as a co-author, and had led to an Italian patent application. As a member of the Community Board of “Nanoscale Horizons”, I have also contributed an editorial piece. I have presented my research at international conferences and have been granted a best poster award and a best oral presentation award.

Lorenzo Sibella
PhD student

I am a PhD student working on the SuN2rise project, which focuses on optimizing the electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. My main activity, co-supervised by Prof. Teresa Gatti, regards the investigating NiO as a catalyst for the reduction of nitrates to ammonia in an aqueous medium, with the goal of identifying the optimal reaction conditions. I am currently a visiting PhD student at Imperial College London. Formerly I studied Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Turin. As part of my thesis project, I conducted research on the synthesis and characterization of nanoMIPs.

Antonio Benigno
PhD student

I am a PhD student working on electrodic materials for post-lithium batteries, co-supervised by Prof. Carlotta Francia. In detail, my main research activity focuses on a novel type of battery chemistry, i.e. the potassium-sulfur one. I am targeting sustainable electrode components able to be stable in the K-S system, as well as leading to excellent performance in electrochemical tests. Previously, I studied Chemical and Sustainable Process Engineering at Politecnico di Torino. I also completed an internship at ICMS in Seville.

Andrea Muscatello
PhD student

I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Technology at Politecnico di Torino, working on the synthesis and characterisation of catalysts, mainly oxides and metal-organic-framework, to produce ammonia by electrocatalytic reduction of nitrates. I address both materials development challenges (with Prof. Serena Esposito’s team) as well as the use of catalysts for electrochemical processes (in Prof. Bella’s team). Formerly, I studied Functional Materials Engineering.

Andrea Giarrizzo Administrative staff

With an academic background in International Relations, I currently serve as a Research Manager at Politecnico di Torino, where I oversee and coordinate scientific and technological research projects. My role involves ensuring compliance with timelines, budgets, regulatory frameworks, and strategic objectives.
I have extensive experience in the management of Horizon Europe projects, both within large international consortia and in the context of individual Principal Investigator-led initiatives such as ERC grants. I support Prof. Federico Bella’s team in the administrative management of funded research projects.

Francesco Nencini
PhD Student

I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Technology, co-supervised by Dr. Daniele Versaci, and I am working on the synthesis and characterization of cathodes for potassium-ion batteries. In 2022 I obtained my BSc in Chemical Sciences at the University of Siena, defending a thesis about the “Preparation and characterization of dopamine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles”. In 2025, I obtained my MSc in Chemistry (Inorganic chemistry path) at the University of Pisa, defending a thesis on “Synthesis, characterization and applications of metal-containing ternary mixtures”.

Giulia Zagatti
PhD Student

I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Technology, co-supervised by Dr. Sara Garcia-Ballesteros, working on the optimization of Li-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis. My research focuses on improving system performance and stability, with particular attention to the electrolytic cell configuration and the stability of both anodic and cathodic electrodes. I also investigate the reaction mechanisms involved in this process, characterize the solid electrolyte interphase, and address the replacement of Li with potassium metal. I hold a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Sustainable Processes from Politecnico di Torino.

Paula Mondino
PhD Student

I graduated with a MSc in Environmental and Land Engineering with specialization in Climate Change through a double-degree program between Politecnico di Torino and Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina). After graduation, I worked at IVECO Group in vehicle energy simulation and well-to-wheel assessment to support emission reduction across different powertrains.
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Technology under the supervision of Prof. Federico Bella and Prof. Carlotta Francia. My research focuses on two EU projects: NEXTCELL, on electrochemical characterization and thermal runaway testing of high-voltage LNMO cathodes, and GREEN2MOVE, on biosourced electrodes and polymer electrolytes for potassium-ion batteries, including advanced characterization and safety assessment.

Vishwanathan Ravichandran
PhD Student

I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Technology, co-supervised by Dr. Sara Garcia-Ballesteros, and I am working on the exploration and optimization of versatile materials for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen-based species. The activity includes electrode designs capable of promoting selective ammonia production examined by electrochemical testing and spectroscopy. In my PhD path, I will also explore both lab-scale experimentation and scalability assessment, aiming to bridge fundamental research with industrial applicability. Formerly, I got a MSc in Materials Science at Anna University (India).

Our research team is committed to advancing sustainable technologies at the intersection of materials chemistry, energy systems, and process innovation. We work on energy storage solutions, solar energy conversion, and electrochemical synthesis, with a strong focus on designing new materials and scalable processes that can drive the transition to a low-carbon future. The topics we address are critical for tackling global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and access to clean energy. Developing efficient and affordable battery technologies, like potassium-ion systems, supports the widespread adoption of renewable energy and strengthens energy security.
Exploring solar-driven chemical production opens new pathways for sustainable agriculture and clean fuels, reducing environmental impacts and decentralizing essential industries. Our work bridges fundamental science and real-world applications, aiming to deliver technologies that are not only environmentally responsible but also economically viable and socially impactful. We believe that innovation in materials and energy processes is key to creating a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable society.

Alumni

Noemi Pirrone

In our team as PhD student until 2025

Lorenzo Tamboia

In our team as PhD student until 2025

  • Risorsa 3mail federico.bella@polito.it
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