José Catalán will defend his PhD thesis on Fri, 31 January 2025 at ICMAB
The PhD researcher José Catalán from the eMolMat group at ICMAB-CSIC, will defend his PhD thesis on Fri, 31 January 2025 at ICMAB.
Tailoring Surface Properties for the Development of Functional Hybrid Materials
Date: Friday, 31 January 2025
Time: 11 AM
Venue: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB, CSIC) - Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles
Abstract
This research focuses on hybrid materials by functionalizing inorganic surfaces with organic switchable molecular ligands to develop responsive nanomaterials for molecular electronics and catalysis. Electrochemically responsive self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) featuring stilbene and ferrocene units were integrated into Au/SAM/EGaIn molecular junctions, demonstrating light-triggered conductivity switching. Functionalized gold nanoparticles and catalytic composite films were synthesized using alkyne derivatives, showing enhanced dye degradation. EGaIn liquid metal was explored as soft top-contact electrodes and nanoparticles, stabilized via phosphonic acid derivatives, achieving enhanced redox properties. Nanographene-based SAMs were investigated as molecular wires and others with tunable chiroptical properties, making them suitable for spintronics. This work highlights the potential of tailored organic-inorganic interfaces in advancing hybrid nanomaterials with unique, adaptable properties.
Supervisors
Núria Crivillers, ICMAB-CSIC, Spain
PhD Comitte
President: Neus Bastús, ICN2, Spain
Secretary: Javier Lodeiro, Universidad Nova Lisboa, Portugal
Vocal: Ignacio Moreno Villoslada, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile
University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
