Research interests

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Our vision is to create a sustainable future by advancing the understanding and applications of interactions at the contact between materials.

Our mission is to create materials with improved overall performance for (i) energy storage, conversion, and efficiency, (ii) gas storage and conversion, (iii) healthcare devices, through the study and optimization of physical and chemical properties of the contact and interaction between materials.

Materials for energy storage, conversion, and efficiency

Our research group is active in the study of interfaces in renewable energy or energy storage materials. We work on interfacial engineering of electrode / electrolyte in batteries and supercapacitors, and on membranes in hydrogen fuel cells. In terms of batteries, we are particularly interested in post-lithium batteries, currently focusing on zinc batteries. Furthermore, we investigate multifunctional coatings, especially to improve energy efficiency in various applications. In our research group we welcome new collaborations, please contact Prof. Vandeginste if you are interested.

Representative publications: 

• Vandeginste, V., Wang, J. (2024). A review of the synthesis of biopolymer hydrogel electrolytes for improved electrode-electrolyte interfaces in zinc-ion batteries. Energies, 17, 310. doi: 10.3390/en17020310

• Wang, J., Szabo, L., Madhav, D., Ferreira, I., Vandeginste, V. (2023). Recent progress in interfacial engineering strategies for Mn-based oxide cathodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries: mechanisms, modifications, and performance enhancement. Energy Storage Materials, Art. No. 103015. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2023.103015

• Ren, Q., Li, X., Ji, Y., Ding, X., Sun, Q., Zhao, P., Li, F., Vandeginste, V. (2023). Thermal insulation of phenolic resin modified fly ash geopolymer. Construction and Building Materials, Art. No. 133840. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133840

• Madhav, D., Shao, C., Mus, J., Buysschaert, F., Vandeginste, V. (2023). The effect of salty environments on the degradation behavior and mechanical properties of Nafion membranes. Energies, 16(5), Art.No. 2256. doi:10.3390/en16052256

Gas storage and conversion

In the context of the transition towards renewable energy, we conduct research on carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), investigating gas storage in underground reservoirs and conversion of carbon dioxide into functional carbonate materials. Moreover, we investigate enhanced weathering as a carbon removal technology (C-SINK project). Please contact Prof. Vandeginste, if you have an interest in collaborating on these research topics.

Representative publications:

• Vandeginste, V., Lim, C., Ji, Y. (2024). Exploratory review on environmental aspects of enhanced weathering as a carbon dioxide removal method. Minerals, 14, 75. doi: 10.3390/min14040075

• Madhav, D., Buffel, B., Moldenaers, P., Desplentere, F., Vandeginste, V. (2023). A review of nacre-inspired materials: Chemistry, strengthening-deformation mechanism, synthesis, and applications. Progress in Materials Science, 139, Art. No. 101168. doi: 10.1016:j.pmatsci.2023.101168

• Xie, W., Wang, H., Vandeginste, V., Chen, S., Gan, H., Wang, M., Yu, Z. (2023). Thermodynamic and kinetic affinity of CO2 relative to CH4 and their pressure, temperature and pore structure sensitivity in the competitive adsorption system in shale gas reservoirs. Energy, 277, Art. No. 127591. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.127591

• Madhav, D., Coppitters, T., Ji, Y., Thielemans, W., Desplentere, F., Moldenaers, P. and Vandeginste, V. (2023). Amino acid promoted single-step carbon dioxide capture and mineralization integrated with polymer-mediated crystallization of carbonates. Journal of Cleaner Production, p.137845. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137845 

• Vandeginste, V., Ji, Y., Buysschaert, F., Anoyatis, G. (2023). Mineralogy, microstructures and geomechanics of rock salt for underground gas storage. Deep Underground Science and Engineering, 2 (2), 129-147. doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12039 

• Martin-Clave, C., Ougier-Simonin, A., Vandeginste, V. (2021). Impact of second phase content on rock salt rheological behaviour under cyclic mechanical conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 5 April 2021. doi: 10.1007/s00603-021-02449-4

Materials for healthcare devices

We develop functional materials for healthcare applications. Our current research in this field lies in two directions, namely drug delivery materials and wearable materials for health monitoring and solutions. We welcome new collaborations in the field of material development for health applications. Please contact Prof. Vandeginste.

Representative publications:

• Hassan, H., Hallez, H., Thielemans, W., Vandeginste, V. (2024). A review of electro-active shape memory polymer composites: Materials engineering strategies for shape memory enhancement. European Polymer Journal, 208, Art. No. 112861. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2024.11861

• Hassan, H., Vandeginste, V. (2023). 3D printed auxetic materials and structures: Deformation behavior and energy absorption performance. Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials.

• Vandeginste, V. (2022). A review of fabrication technologies for carbon electrode-based micro-supercapacitors. Applied Sciences, 12(2), 862. doi:10.3390/app12020862 

Funding

We are very grateful for all research support.

interfacial engineering Research (iR) group