Research interests
His research activity is devoted to the magnetic, structural and electronic investigation of low-dimensional metallorganic systems grown on metallic or semiconducting surfaces. He developed new strategies for the direct and indirect grafting of properly functionalized Molecular-Nano-Magnets (MNM) on suitable surfaces, exploiting the controlled deposition from solid, liquid or vapor phase. The aim is to verify how the main properties of the molecule are modified by the reduced dimensionality and by the interaction with the surface.
Fields of his research activity:
• We have investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of LnPc2 molecules UHV-deposited on a graphene/Ni(111) substrate and how they modify when an Au-layer is intercalated between Ni and graphene. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and linear and magnetic circular dichroism (XLD and XMCD) were used to characterize the systems and probe the magnetic coupling between LnPc2 molecules and the Ni substrate through graphene. Two types of LnPc2 molecules (Ln = Tb, Er) with a different magnetic anisotropy (easy-axis for Tb, easy-plane for Er)
• New families of MNMs with huge Magnetocaloric Effect (MCE) like Fe14 Gd4Ni8 and Gd4. He developed a new procedure to derive the entropy variation from the XMCD signal. It is possible to monitor if the MCE is preserved at the single molecule. This demonstrates, for the first time, that an important contribution to magnetic refrigeration is an intrinsic molecular property.
• The family of Cr8 antiferromagnetic rings and in particular the heterometallic Cr7Ni ring which is supposed to be particularly promising as “q-bit” for the implementation of a quantum information processing.
• Double-decker phthalocyaninato lanthanide (PcTbPc) have a long magnetization relaxation time as an intrinsic molecular property, and can act as a magnet at single-molecular level with a blocking temperature around 20 K. We have investigated the interaction between two lanthanides in a Triple-decker (Pc-Tb-Pc-Dy-PC).
• Investigation of organic self-assembled low dimensional systems on metallic surfaces. This activity is devoted to understand fundamental aspects of organic molecule interactions at surfaces, from the early stages of hybrid organic-inorganic interface formation to the creation of new 1D and 2D “organic surfaces” controlled by functionalization.
His experimental activity is performed both on-campus and at large scale facilities, to get advantage of the very powerful techniques relying on synchrotron radiation. He got experience in the structural and electronic investigation by exploiting Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), Photoemission Spectroscopies (XPS, UPS), High-Resolution Electron Energy Loss (HREELS), X-ray absorption (XAS) and Resonant Photoemission (ResPES) spectroscopies. The magnetic and orientational properties are studied by Circular Magnetic Dichroism (XMCD) and Linear Dichroism (XLD).
Biographical sketch
Valdis Corradini got the Laurea in Physics in December 1995 at the Università degli Studi di Modena and the PhD in Physics in December 2001, at the Université P.M. Curie (Paris VI) Jussieu, Paris.
Working positions:
- From 2008 Researcher (permanent position) at the CNR S3 National Research Center of Modena devoted to "nanoStructures and bioSystems at Surfaces", on the subject “Multi technique investigation of Molecular nanomagnets at surfaces.”
• From 2003 to 2008 Researcher (III level, Tenure Track) at the CNR-INFM S3 of Modena. Subject: “Characterization of low dimensional systems and organic molecules on surfaces”.
- From 2002 to 2003 Research grant at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Subject: “High resolution spectroscopies and structural properties of low dimensional self-assembled systems”
- From 2000 to 2002 Research grant at the INFM. Subject: "Low Dimensional ordered systems"
- From 1997 to 1999 Research fellowship at the PRA-LOTUS of the INFM. Subject: "High resolution spectroscopy study on metal-insulator transitions".
He has co-authored about 58 papers in international journals and he is Referee of international reviews.
He took part to several International Conferences (8 Oral and many poster presentations) and he was a member of the organizing committees.
He spent more than 30 periods of 1–2 weeks to perform measurements at the large scale Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (DIAMOND, SLS,BESSY ESRF, ELETTRA, LURE).
Selected publications
• V. Corradini et al, “Probing magnetic coupling between LnPc2 (Ln=Tb, Er) molecules and graphene / Ni (111) substrate with and without Au-intercalation: role of the dipolar field”, Nanoscale, 10, 277-283 (2018).
• A. Candini, V. Corradini, A. Ghirri and M. Affronte, “Molecular architectures for hybrid nano-devices”, Il Nuovo Saggiatore 32, no5-6, 42-52 (2016).
• S. Marocchi, V. Corradini et al.,“Relay-Like Exchange Mechanism through a Spin Radical between TbPc2 Molecules and Graphene/Ni(111) Substrates”, ACS Nano 10, 9353 (2016).
• P. Fantuzzi, V. Corradini et al.,“Fabrication of three terminal devices by ElectroSpray deposition of graphene nanoribbons”, Carbon 104, 112 (2016).
• A. Candini, V. Corradini et al., “Spin-communication channels between Ln(III) bis-phthalocyanines molecular nanomagnets and a magnetic substrate”, Scientific Reports 6, 21740. Also selected for the Synchrotron ESRF Highlights 2016.
• Y. Lan, V. Corradini et al., “Magnetic interplay between two different lanthanides in a tris-phthalocyaninato complex: a viable synthetic route and detailed investigation in bulk and on surface”, J. Mater. Chem. C 3, 9794-9801 (2015).
• G. Paolicelli, V. Corradini et al., “Nanoscale frictional behavior of graphene on SiO2 and Ni(111) substrates”, Nanotechnology 26, 055703 (2015).
• A. Candini, V. Corradini et al., “Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling between Fe Phthalocyanine and Ni(111) Surface mediated by the Extended States of Graphene”, J. Phys. Chem. C 118, 17670 (2014).
• V. Corradini et al., “Surface investigation on Gd4M8 (M=Zn, Ni) Single Molecule Coolers”, Adv. Funct. Mater. 24, 4782 (2014). Also selected for the Synchrotron SOLEIL NewsLetters 2014 and Highlights 2014.