Suescun Pereyra, Leopoldo

Research interests

My scientific and academic activity is based on Crystallography as an interdisciplinary area, dedicated to the characterization of the atomic structure of bulk crystalline materials, micro and nanomaterials by applying X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutrons and electrons, on single crystals and/or polycrystals (powders) establishing structure-property correlations. I have solved and analyzed crystal structures of molecular crystals of natural or synthetic origin and extended compounds (such as MOFs or organic-inorganic hybrids) and inorganic compounds. Most of this work is developed in collaboration with colleagues from Uruguay and abroad (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, USA, Poland, China among others).

My main line of research is the preparation and characterization of ceramics, studying aspects related to the crystalline structure and microstructure and how these define the properties of the material. Since 2009 I have applied this knowledge to the development and characterization of perovskite and fluorite type oxides for applications in fuel cells and recently solid oxide electrolyzers (solid-oxide fuel/electrolyzer cell SOFC/SOEC systems) for the generation and use of green Hydrogen.

Working area

I have installed a laboratory for the preparation and characterization of ceramic materials and electrochemical devices based on them. Classic and novel nanomaterials with perovskite and fluorite structures are prepared here, with application to cathodes, electrolytes and anodes of solid oxide cells (SOC), using the self-combustion technique, which is simple, novel and of low economic and time cost. With this technique, it has been possible to prepare more efficient nanostructured oxygen electrodes for SOCs. Since 2019, the power of locally developed solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) has been determined and recently, hydrogen production has been measured in solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC) also with locally designed materials.