Prof. Rajeev Ahuja

Contact Information

Professor Rajeev Ahuja Office
Å13106

Curriculum Vitae

Brief CV. Publications up to April 2017. CV and publications.

Research

Crystal structure prediction from first-principles: random search and metadynamics simulations

The properties of a material are highly dependent on the crystal structure. We develop ab initio theory capable to predict new structures, utilizing the search tools to explore the configurational space based on genetic algorithm methods, random search methods, data mine approaches, topological modeling methods, and metadynamics. We employ this method to study the structure of the novel complex light metal hydrides as well as to investigate the H₂ dissociation on the metal hydride surfaces. Predicting crystal structures is a computational time-consuming task, therefore we spend a lot of time on optimizing the computational methods.

Solar cell

The nanostructure based multijunction solar cells are very promising due to their high efficiency due to their light absorbing capabilities for a wide range of the solar spectrum. They have several layers engineered from the same semiconducting host material eliminating the lattice mismatch between the layers to avoid any structural defects (we hope this technique can be extended for flexible structures). We engineer band gaps in the layers by introducing impurities, so that the top layer of the multijunction solar cell can capture the near blue region of the solar spectrum followed by a lower bandgap materials and even lower until ones that absorb the red-green part of the solar spectrum, covering the entire spectrum of the solar light. So, the proposed multijunction solar cell materials, consist of wide bandgap layer followed by a relatively lower bandgap ones allow for the photon to enter freely and be captured when their energy matches the bandgap width.

Organic batteries

Organic based battery materials can be produced from biomass and are expected to have a significantly lower environmental footprint from raw material extraction and material processing. Current organic matter based alternatives offer capacities comparable to their inorganic counterparts but in most cases they suffer from poor cycling stability, low conductivity or large polarization losses. In this project the combination of a conductive polymer backbone with high capacity redox groups is studied to overcome capacity fading due to dissolution as well as conductivity pathways through the material.

Molecular electronics

Molecular electronics is a rapidly developing research field at the interface of physics, chemistry, and engineering, in which electron transport through molecules is investigated. The project involves design and ab initio simulations of molecular structures, metal and semiconductor surfaces and molecular adsorption applied to molecular electronics, biological- and nano-sensors and synthesis of novel materials. Our research is performed within the environment of the Uppsala University UniMolecular Electronics Center (U³MEC) which focuses on molecular electronics based on single or small assemblies of molecules.

Hydrogen storage

The understanding of H₂ dissociation on metal surfaces is a key point toward the design of suitable hydrogen storage materials. We calculate the H₂-dissociation energy barriers with the Nudged Elastic Band Method and investigate the effect of impurities on these barriers. We aim on catalysts design that fasten the H-sorption reactions in novel hydrogen storage materials.

Solar fuel production (Photoelectrocatalysis)

A promising sustainable solution for solar energy harvesting and utilization is artificial photosynthesis: the sunlight is used to split the water molecules and subsequently reduce the CO₂, producing methane and methanol. We computationally design photoelectrocatalysts suitable for such application.

Full list of publications

Publications up to April 2017.

Selected Publications

Jiang et al., Tunable assembly of sp³ cross-linked three dimensional graphene monoliths Adv. Funct. Mater. 23, 5846 (2013).
Sa et al., Topological insulating in GeTe/Sb₂Te₃ phase-change superlattice Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 96802 (2012).
Mao et al., Electronic dynamics and plasmons of sodium under compression PNAS (2011).
Århammar et al., Unveiling the complex electronic structure of amorphous metal oxides PNAS (the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA) 108, 6355 (2011).
Krisch et al., Phonon Spectra for an Anomalous Elemental Metal: Cerium PNAS (the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA) 108, 9342 (2011).
Sun et al., Pressure-induced reversible amorphization and an amorphous-amorphous transition in Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ phase-change memory material PNAS (the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA) 108, 10410 (2011).
Li et al., Rhodium dihydride (RhH₂) with high volumetric hydrogen density Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108, 18618 (2011).
Kim et al., Predicted formation of superconducting platinum-hydride crystals under pressure in the presence of molecular hydrogen Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 117002 (2011);
highlighted in APS Physics, Editor's Suggestion.
Ahuja et al., Relativity and the Lead-Acid Battery Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 018301 (2011);
selected as research highlights in Nature 469, 269 (2011) & The Economist, 398, No. 8716 pp. 75-76 (2011).
Mattesini et al., Hemispherical anisotropic patterns of the Earth’s inner core Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107, 9507 (2010).
Kim et al., General trend for pressurized superconducting hydrogen-dense materials Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107, 2793 (2010).
Ding et al., The Importance of Strong Carbon-Metal Adhesion for Catalytic Nucleation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nano Letters 8, 463 (2008).
Ahuja et al., A new high-pressure structure in curium linked to magnetism Science 309, 110 (2005).
Sharma et al., Ferromagnetism above room temperature in bulk and transparent thin films of Mn-doped ZnO Nature-Materials 2, 673 (2003).
Schnadt et al., Experimental evidence for sub-3-fs charge transfer from an aromatic adsorbate to a semiconductor Nature 418, 620 (2002).
Dubrovinsky et al., The Hardest Known Oxide Nature 410, 653 (2001).