Principal Investigator:
Francisco Fabregat-Santiago
Elena Mas Marzá
The main aim of the group is to use (Photo)electrochemistry for the synthesis of added-value products for the chemical industry and the energy sector, as well as for environmental remediation. The team has a broad expertise in electrochemical conversion processes, spanning from the oxidation of water and organic substrates for H2 production to the valorization of biomass. Furthermore, the group is recognized for its work on the determination of the physical-chemical mechanisms responsible for the operation of optoelectronic devices, on the preparation of efficient catalysts for different activation processes and on the coupling of photoactive and electrocatalytic systems. Specific lines of research:
- Adv. Mat. for energy conversion.
- (Photo)electrocatalytic H2 production using earth-abundant metal oxides, and coupling co-catalytic materials for enhanced efficiency and productivity.
- Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C1 products, focusing on the understanding of selectivity towards desired products.
- Developing novel characterization tools for a deep understanding of carrier dynamics on (photo)electrocatalytic processes, including the validation of models for photoelectrochemical conversion of water to fuel.
- Adv. Mat. for catalysis
- Oxidation of organic substrates for waste valorization. In particular, oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and organic molecules from biomass (HMF) into polymer precursors (FDCA).
- Industrial Innovation and Technology Transfer
The group has strong commitment towards collaboration with SMEs; it has promoted meetings with companies at regional and national levels what have resulted into its participation in Project RADIAKER, developed with the company Keraben (2019). Patent P201930558 (2019) for the development of low-cost electrocatalytic materials for alkaline electrolyzers for water splitting, developed within the group, has been licensed to H2B2 (https://h2b2.es/), a fast-growing technological company focused on green hydrogen. A joint project with H2B2 will be developed in 2021 for industrial implementation of INAM’s methodology. The group has coordinated and actively participated in the UCIE-INAM funded by AVI, developing the lines of ceramic materials functionalization and Catalytic electrodes for industrial applications. A new patent about a ceramic tile interruptor (P202031264) and 2 new contracts with companies Blue Plasma Power and Keraben + Kerafrit aimed at exploring the industrial applications of patent P202031264, have been settled in these industrial innovation lines.
