Research Interests
My research interests center on the theoretical investigation of complex thermochemical processes through the development and application of detailed and semi-detailed chemical modeling frameworks. I focus particularly on elucidating the intricate mechanisms governing both homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction networks. My work encompasses several critical areas of investigation, including hydrocarbon cracking for hydrogen production and high-performance carbon material synthesis, thermochemical valorization of plastic and biomass waste through pyrolysis and gasification processes, sustainable fuel combustion chemistry, and pollutant formation mechanisms. To advance understanding in these domains, I employ sophisticated theoretical methodologies, including ab initio transition state theory, molecular dynamics simulations, and metadynamics techniques. These approaches enable precise determination of thermochemical kinetic parameters in non-catalytic reactions across both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, contributing to our fundamental understanding of these critical chemical processes.
Experiences
- Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano.Nov. 2024 – present
- Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Milano.Nov. 2017 – Nov. 2024
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Politecnico di Milano.Nov. 2016 – Oct. 2017
- Visiting Ph.D. Student, Argonne National Laboratory, IL, USA.Jan. 2016 – Aug. 2016
- Graduate Researcher, Politecnico di Milano.Jun. 2013 – Nov. 2013
- Visiting Undergraduate Researcher, National University of Ireland, Galway.Mar. 2012 – Aug. 2012
Education
- Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. (2013-2016)
- Advisor: Prof. Tiziano Faravelli
- Master Degree in Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. (2010-2013)
- Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano (2007-2010)
Selected Publications
- E. Busillo, A. Nobili, F. Serse, M.P. Bracciale, P. De Filippis, M. Pelucchi, and B. de Caprariis. “Turquoise hydrogen and carbon materials production from thermal methane cracking: An experimental and kinetic modelling study with focus on carbon product morphology”. Carbon (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119102.
- F. Serse, A. Bjola, M. Salvalaglio, and M. Pelucchi. “Unveiling Solvent Effects on β-Scissions through Metadynamics and Mean Force Integration”. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00383.
- F. Serse, Z. Ding, M. Bracconi, M. Maestri, A. Nobili, C. Giudici, A. Frassoldati, T. Faravelli, A. Cuoci, and M. Pelucchi. “A comprehensive kinetic framework for solid carbon deposition and hydrogen production from the pyrolysis of light hydrocarbons streams”. Carbon Trends (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cartre.2023.100263.
- O. Dogu, M. Pelucchi, R. Van de Vijver, P. H.M. Van Steenberge, D. R. D’hooge, A. Cuoci, M. Mehl, A. Frassoldati, T. Faravelli, and K. M. Van Geem. “The chemistry of chemical recycling of solid plastic waste via pyrolysis and gasification: State-of-the-art, challenges, and future directions”. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2020.100901.
- C. Cavallotti, M. Pelucchi, Y. Georgievskii, and S. J. Klippenstein. “EStokTP: Electronic Structure to Temperature- and Pressure-Dependent Rate Constants–A Code for Automatically Predicting the Thermal Kinetics of Reactions”. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00701.