The main lines of research developed within the Institute of Materials and Nanotechnology are associated with each research group, with some of them being shared between several groups.
Corrosion and protection of metals: Passivity and breaking of passivity of metals and alloys; protective coatings; corrosion inhibition; characterization of atmospheric corrosion.
Microelectrochemical techniques: Application of microelectrodes and electrochemical microscopy techniques for the determination of mechanisms of electrochemical and corrosion processes.
Biomaterial degradation: Degradation of metallic materials for prostheses and development of protective coatings.
Electrochemistry: Thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical processes, mechanistic studies of the multi-stage nature of electrochemical processes that take place at electrified interfaces. Electrochemical techniques.
Environmental electrochemistry: Development and implementation of electrochemical methods for the treatment of urban and industrial effluents.
The group was established in 1999 and has been evolving ever since, initially focused on photovoltaic cells, adaptive optics and optical anisotropy, currently also covering the areas of photovoltaic modules and systems, as well as the integration of renewable energies into electrical networks.
It currently has 3 stable members and from it the participation of the ULL in an H2020 project on hydrogen generation with photovoltaic energy is directed, a Retos project to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic modules, several contracts with companies in the energy sector and a spin-off company of the ULL (Energy Research & Intelligence Solutions SL) has just been established through a transfer agreement with the university itself.
Luminescence and optical absorption measurements in materials, both under ambient and extreme conditions (pressure and temperature).
Use of laser spectroscopy in different experiments, such as time-resolved optical measurements (in the femtosecond to second range).
Infrared-to-visible energy conversion processes ("upconversion"). These types of experiments are performed for application in sensor nanomaterials or for applications in photovoltaic solar cells.
Use of microresonator optical systems for optical applications. By using glass microspheres doped with luminescent ions, it is possible to detect the resonances of light trapped inside them ("Whispering Gallery Modes") and characterize their wavelength shift as a function of physical parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.), for use as high-resolution sensors.
Study of luminescent properties as a function of temperature and pressure of transition metals in organic complexes.
- Characterization of ultrathin and nanostructured biomolecule films.
- Characterization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of organic and bio-organic molecules.
- Characterization of mechanical properties at the nanoscale of organic and biological thin films.
- Coating of metallic nanoparticles with bioactive material.
- Computational modeling of organic molecules adsorbed on metallic substrates.
Quantum mechanical simulations using first principles (ab initio) methods of the structural, electronic, dynamic, and elastic properties of materials and nanomaterials of technological interest under extreme conditions of high pressure and high temperature.
Materials for clean and sustainable energy. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs) with ceramic proton conductors. Photocatalysis: Hydrogen production using solar energy by water-splitting.
Electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis.
Spectroscopic techniques for electrochemical studies (spectroelectrochemistry).
Electrochemical devices for energy storage and production (polymer electrolyte fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, …).
Development of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles and metallic clusters.
Two-dimensional materials: graphene materials, metal dichalcogenides, MXenes.
Electrochemical capture of CO₂2.
Electrochemical sensors.
Correlation between crystal structure and physical properties of new multifunctional materials with applications in nonlinear optics, photonics, and photocatalysis.
Solid state synthesis and solution growth of rare earth polyanionic microcrystals and single crystals (substitution and doping).
Structural characterization by diffraction: polymorphism, phase diagrams and transitions (ferroic and reconstructive), incommensurable phases, negative thermal expansion and negative compression, local structure and microstructure.
Electrical characterization by dielectric spectroscopy: phase transitions, dielectric losses, electrical, polaronic and ionic conductivity.
Characterization of non-linear properties: ferro- and antiferroelectricity, piezoelectricity and ferroelasticity.
Physics.
Materials Science and Technology (TM).
This research group is dedicated to the design, preparation and characterization of metal-organic materials, paying special attention to magnetic, electrical and optical properties.
The characterization we perform consists of structural determination using X-ray diffraction techniques on both powder and single crystals. Magnetic characterization is performed between 300 and 2 K using AC and DC measurements. We have collaborators trained in electrical characterization through complex impedance measurements and collaborate with research groups in the physics section to study the luminescence of materials.
Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of luminescent materials (doped with rare earth ions) and the study of energy transfer processes, in particular, infrared to visible energy conversion processes (“up-conversion”), for application in optical amplifiers in telecommunications, the generation of white light (RGB) for lighting devices, and its application to improving the efficiency of silicon photovoltaic solar cells.
In recent years his research has focused on the field of photochemistry, integrating nanotechnology with these photonic processes of infrared to visible energy conversion (“up-conversion”) for the degradation of pollutants for water purification, as well as for obtaining hydrogen through water-splitting photolysis processes, which is framed within the current field of research known as “artificial photosynthesis”.
This line of research is currently part of the MAGEC-REEsearch Project (“Materials for Advanced Energy Generation and Rare Earth Exploration (REE) in the Canary Islands”), funded by the Government of the Canary Islands (RIS3 Program) and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through its R&D Challenges Program. It also highlights the interconnection with other complementary lines of research, encompassing the fields of biology (artificial and natural photosynthesis), biomedicine (photo-activation of anticancer compounds with luminescent nanoparticles), geology (exploration of rare earth mineral resources), and micro-engineering (fabrication of structures using 3D printing and novel “photo-polymerization” and “laser writing” techniques with new luminescent resins).
The Materials Engineering Research Group (2017) is dedicated to the reuse and recycling of waste. We have secured funding through competitive calls from the Canary Islands Government via the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and the Information Society, and from the CajaCanarias Foundation, for the “ECOMATGLASS Project”, within the line of utilizing glass waste without a recycling circuit.
We are currently working on:
– 3D Printing Waste, currently focused on PLA, producing new filament from waste (recovery, shredding, extrusion…) in addition to its structural, mechanical and microscopic characterization,
– Use of plant waste from the banana industry for the manufacture of single-use tableware. Protection of the manufacturing method is pending review.
– Reuse and utilization of glass waste for the manufacture of construction materials.
– Manufacturing of composites with textile waste.
We can perform mechanical characterization of materials (tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength), hardness and microhardness, materialographic and microscopic analysis.
The Laboratory of Materials for Chemical Analysis (MAT4LL) research group emerged from the merger of two research groups: one in Analytical Chemistry and the other in Physics (Materials Science), both from the University of La Laguna, Tenerife. Professor Verónica Pino, from the Department of Analytical Chemistry, is the principal investigator of the new MAT4LL group, which currently includes professors and researchers from various disciplines: Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Crystallography. The group has received continuous funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness since 2013 through various grants. Since then, the group has jointly published over 84 articles in journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and 15 book chapters with international publishers. Furthermore, the research conducted by the group has led to the creation of the spin-off company Alisio Chemical Technologies SL, established to commercialize the developed technology.
The main objective of the MAT4LL research group is the design of new functional materials that are environmentally sustainable, selective, and efficient for use in analytical methods for sample preparation in environmental, agri-food, and bioclinical analysis. The group has adopted a multidisciplinary strategy, so the team includes not only researchers from the fields of Analytical Chemistry and Physics, but also collaborators from other areas such as Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Parasitology. The projects developed primarily focus on the design of metal-organic frameworks, ionic liquids, and polymers, as well as their characterization, their incorporation into microextraction methods, and the study of interactions between the materials and compounds of interest to improve their design. In short, the aim of the MAT4LL research group is the rational development of materials for all types of applications in the area of analytical microextraction: Materials for ALL!.
Chemistry