Daniel Narh
My research explores how crystal structure shapes material properties: from temperature-driven phase transitions in hybrid halide crystals to defects and epitaxial quality in nitride thin films.
I’m pursuing the Erasmus Mundus MSc in Chemical Nanoengineering and am interested in PhD opportunities starting in 2027.
Research
Hybrid organic-inorganic halide crystals
At INTiBS PAN, I grew hybrid halide crystals by slow solvent evaporation and studied them using ATR-FTIR, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent Raman measurements helped track phase transitions, under the supervision of Prof. Maciej Ptak.
Nitride thin films at the synchrotron
At IM2NP (CNRS), I used Python to analyse reciprocal-space maps collected at The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) beamline BM02, assessing mosaicity and epitaxial quality in novel thin-films. This work was carried out with Prof. Jacopo Remondina and Dr Thomas Cornelius, and has led to a manuscript in preparation.
Earlier work
My earlier work at the University of Ghana explored nanomaterials for environmental and biomedical applications, including superhydrophobic glass coatings, chitosan–zeolite drug carriers, green-synthesised Ag-TiO2 photocatalysts and natural-fibre sorbents for oil-spill clean-up.
Experience
- Jul to Aug 2026
Research intern, Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (INTiBS PAN)
Grew hybrid halide crystals and characterised them using ATR-FTIR, XRD and Raman spectroscopy, including temperature-dependent measurements to investigate phase transitions.
- Jan to Feb 2026
Research intern, Institut Matériaux Microélectronique Nanosciences de Provence, IM2NP (CNRS UMR 7334)
Analysed synchrotron reciprocal-space maps from ESRF BM02 to assess mosaicity and epitaxial quality in ScAl(Ga)N films. Prepared reviewed report to serve as a reference for future interns, and presented the findings online to teams in Nice and Marseille.
- Oct 2022 to Sep 2025
Research and teaching assistant, University of Ghana
Led tutorials in Thermodynamics, Thermodynamics of Materials and Refractories for undergraduates, contributed to laboratory research, and mentored undergraduate research interns.
- May to Jul 2021
Intern, Attachy Construction Company
Supervised renovation projects at the Ghana School of Law and learned how environmental conditions influence material selection.
- 2017 to 2018
Primary teacher, GreenLight Yevan International School
Taught mathematics and science at primary-school level.
Education
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's in Chemical Nanoengineering 2025 to 2027
- Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy Sep 2026 to present
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland Mar to Jul 2026
- Aix-Marseille University, France Sep 2025 to Feb 2026
- BSc Materials Science and Engineering 2018 to 2022
- University of Ghana, First Class Honours
Publications
- Narh, D., et al. (2025). Stability and self-cleaning properties of superhydrophobic nano-coated glass using halloysite nanotubes. Advanced Materials Interfaces. First authorQ1A spray-coated halloysite/TiO₂ surface modified with stearic acid reached a water contact angle of about 159° and showed self-cleaning behaviour against kaolin and carbon black, alongside chemical, mechanical and thermal stability.
- Manu, G.P., Narh, D., et al. (2025). Characterization of chitosan/zeolite drug delivery composite and curcumin release kinetics in a simulated pH environment. Scientific African. Q1Chitosan-functionalised zeolite beads encapsulated up to 84% of curcumin and enabled sustained release under simulated pH conditions.
- Narh, D., et al. (2024). Green synthesis of Citrus sinensis peel extract-mediated Ag-TiO2 and its application as a photocatalyst for organic molecules and antimicrobial agent. Journal of Nanotechnology. First authorQ2Using orange-peel extract to synthesise Ag–TiO₂, the 1.5 wt.% silver sample showed the strongest photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B.
- Narh, D., et al. (2024). Hf-Pd binary phase diagram evaluation. MSI Eureka. First authorEvaluated published Hf–Pd phase diagrams, supporting the 2016 experimental version’s assignment of congruent melting to HfPd₃ and reidentification of Hf₃Pd₄ as Hf₂Pd₃.
- Gbogbo, S., Narh, D., et al. (2024). Effects of modified sugar cane and plantain pseudo-stem fibers for oil spill remediation. Cogent Engineering. Q2Surface modification with TiO₂, graphene oxide and stearic acid increased water contact angles to 144° and 126°; the modified sugarcane fibre absorbed about 10 g of crude oil per gram.
Talks and conferences
Videos
Chemical NanoEngineering Summer School presentation
Overview of 'Water' Presentation in June 2026.
Contact
I welcome conversations about research collaborations and PhD opportunities.