Synthesis of Novel Oxide Materials

This project will pioneer new synthetic strategies to access oxygen-intercalated and highly oxidized layered nickelates, a class of metastable compounds with strong potential for high-temperature superconductivity and energy applications. Building on my expertise in thin-film synthesis and advanced characterization, I will employ topochemical oxidation with ozone and complementary soft-chemical methods to stabilize nickelates in unusually high oxidation states. Structural and electronic properties will be mapped using state-of-the-art diffraction, spectroscopy, and transport techniques, advancing fundamental understanding of correlated electron systems. The fellowship will be hosted at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Prof. Michael Hayward, an international leader in soft-chemistry synthesis, ensuring a strong two-way transfer of knowledge between solid-state chemistry and thin-film physics. The project will deliver new scientific insights into nickel–oxygen hybridization at extreme valences, expand the design principles for metastable oxides, and open pathways for applications in superconductivity, catalysis, and ion-based electronics. Results will be disseminated through high-impact publications, international conferences, and open-science practices. The fellowship will also enhance my career development through interdisciplinary training, mentoring, and leadership opportunities, positioning me as a leading independent researcher at the interface of physics, chemistry, and materials science.