Our work in collaboration with J.R. Galan-Mascaros’ group at ICIQ has been published in JACS. This work highlights the versatility and efficiency of TAMOF-1 as a chiral stationary phase capable of separating a variety of model racemic mixtures, including drugs, in a wide range of solvents of different polarity. This performance arises from the combination of chiral channels and weak binding sites allowing for low-energy separation of enantiomers, without any strong binding/recognition sites. Click for more info
Natalia´s work is already available at JACS. The design of metal–organic frameworks with chemical stability is limited to metal connectors as carboxylates or azolates. Inspired by the chemistry of siderophores, we report a hydroxamate titanium framework that combines photoactivity with hydrolytic stability. The straightforward derivatization of carboxylic linkers with hydroxamic groups might represent an alternative route to broaden the family of reticular solids. Check it out!
Check our last collaboration with Mateo-Alonso´s group in Polymat. Marta-COF-1 is a nonplanar 2D-COF in which the waviness of the framework does not disrupt the interlayer p-p stacking so their charge transporting properties are similar to those of the best performing planar 2D COFs. The high stability and crystallinity of Marta-COF-1 have allowed an extraordinary level of characterization by HR-TEM, showing chairlike honeycomb facets and aligned mesoporous channels consistent with the experimental and predicted dimensions and packing. For more info see here
Our study of the nanoscale properties of a family of 2D FeII Hoffmann-like coordination polymers was just published as an article in Chemistry of Materials. This collaboration between from FuniMat and SMolMat research groups of the ICMol, and scientist from the DELTA synchrotron of TU Dortmund. We report the fabrication of ultrathin films of (thickness < 30 nm) of this family of 2D FeII Hoffmann-like coordination polymers, and the subsequent study of their electronic and structural properties at the nanoscale. This type of study is unprecedented in spin crossover coordination polymers and contributes to the perspective integration of these materials into the field of electronics. You can read the full text here
Alejandro’s work has just been published in Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. In this paper, Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction is used to follow the restricted polymerization of pyrrole inside a cyclodextrin MOF, which generates discrete units of highly reactive cationic terpyrrole inside the pores. This work gives unprecedented information about the host-guest interactions that limit the formation of polymers, that can be useful to future works using MOFs as templates for polymerization processes. For more info see here
Javi reports the synthesis of the first mesoporous titanium-organic framework, now available in Chemical Science. The use of High-Throughput (HT) methodologies enabled the synthesis of highly crystalline MIL-100(Ti). Compared to the classical Fe phase, this MOF shows improved chemical stability and retains the photoactivity intrinsic to Ti(IV) centers. Photocatalytic H2 production was demonstrated in collaboration with Hermenegildo García’s group at the Instituto of Tecnología Química. For more details check the link
On a recently published joint work, Jose, Neyvis and Belén used a novel method to induce the translocation of an enzyme into the pores of a MOF. Their procedure is based in a partial denaturation of the enzyme followed by its refolding into the polar cavities offered by the host. Thanks to a combination of experimental and theoretical work, we managed to demonstrate that the enzyme adopts a different conformation inside the MOF, granting it enhanced activity, stability and recyclability. The work is now available in Chemical Science
Víctor’s study on the nanostructuration of spin crossover coordination polymers has just been published in Chemical Science. A collaborative endeavor with contributions from FuniMat, RTMM and SMolMat groups of the ICMol, together with Unité Mixte de Physique CNRS/Thales and DEIMOS beamline of the Soleil synchrotron. Below a critical thickness, the completeness of the spin transition is sharply affected due to an equally dramatic film microstructure transition from fully coalesced layer into segregated nanocrystalline particles. This careful examination of the spin crossover properties of films at the nanoscale provides relevant information for scientists working towards the integration of this switchable materials into nanometric electronic and spintronic devices. For more details take a look at the full text here
Víctor, Neyvis and Garin’s work has just been published in Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. This joint effort shines some light into the underlying mechanism behind the chemiresistive phenomena displayed by electrically conductive MOFs. Taking advantage of our previously reported devices based on Cu-CAT-1 ultrathin films (~30 nm), we used experimental data in combination with computational modelling to obtain evidence for a guest dependent modification of the MOF’s electronic structure. This causes a direct dependence between the electrical response of the MOF and guest interactions with its open metal nodes. You can see the full text here
Fran is originally from Elche. He joins the team with a La Caixa Junior Leader Fellowship Fellowship after a Postdoc stay in KU Leuven with Dirk De Vos. He will focus on the development of high performance metal-organic framework catalysts.
Ana graduated in Chemistry in 2018 after an Erasmus stay at The University of Manchester. She will be exploring new methodologies for the flow synthesis of pharmaceuticals with MOF catalysts.
Rubén graduated in Chemistry at the Universidad de Valencia in 2019. He will be exploring the electrocatalytic properties and potential of some of the materials developed @FuniMAT in energy conversion.
Elisa comes from Lille (France).For her internship as an Erasmus student, she will be helping Belén with the synthesis of chiral MOFs from proteogenic building blocks.
Carmen graduated in Chemistry in 2017 at the University of Santiago de Compostela an got a master in Chemistry at the University of Valencia in 2019. She will be working in the design of porous and materials and layered clays for water remediation and removal of toxics.
Elena is originally from Salamanca. She joins the force with a Juan de la Cierva Formación Fellowship after a Postdoc stay in Versailles. She will approach new strategies for cooperative catalysis in porous materials.
Isabel was born in Guadalajara and earned his Ph.D. in 2018, working in the group of Ross Forgan at the University of Glasgow. She will be exploring new methodologies for controlling the role of defects over structure and reactivity in MOFs.
Montaña earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 2018 at the Universidad de Salamanca. As the Chief Technical Officer of Porous Materials for Advanced Applications, S.L. she will be responsible for the implementation of new methodologies for upscaling the synthesis of the most relevant materials produced @FuniMAT.
Our work on MOFs as chiral stationary phases has been highlighted in Chemical & Engineering News. Check it out!
Our work on the synthesis of hydroxamic titanium frameworks has been highlighted as supplementary cover in JACS. Thanks to the creative team of Principia for the excellent result. Hope you will like it!
Francisco G. Cirujano was present at the award ceremony of “La Caixa” research fellowships, awarded for the development of new methodologies for the efficient synthesis of pharmaceuticals. For more details see here.
Funimat was present at the ACS Symposium held in San Diego. Carlos and Sergio presented our recent results in photoactive titanium frameworks and charge transport in ultrathin films in the MOF symposium.
Carlos was invited to present our recent results of relevance in biotechnological applications at the annual meeting of Biotecmed, to celebrate its recent certification as scientific institute of the Universidad de Valencia. We are excited to push hard our ongoing collaborations with our biological colleagues!
Congratulations to Dr. Escorcia-Ariza after his excellent PhD Thesis defense. The jury was formed by Prof. Cháfer, Platero-Prats and Sánchez-Costa. Garin has done a great job developing home-built setups to fabricate and measure charge transport in ultrathin films of MOFs and coordination polymers. All the best for your new endeavours. Congratulations Garin!
Mario Wriedt, Associate Professor and Kodak CAMP Distinguished Professor at Clarkson University (USA), visited us to present the last advances of his team on the development of new frameworks for electro- and photochromic switches, and stimuli-responsive spintronics. We are hopeful this will initiate a fruitful collaboration between both groups.
Carlos visited IMDEA NanoScience in Madrid for an invited seminar on charge transport and in metal-organic frameworks and push forward our collaboration with the surface coordination chemistry team led by David Écija.
The funimat team formed by Victor Rubio, Javi Castells, Isabel Abanades, María Romero and Carmen Fernández took part in the dissemination sessions of "Expociencia". A lot of the young participants and even the older ones were fascinated by taking a little bit of lemon juice, vinegar or detergent with a few drops of red cabbage and seeing it change color. Moreover, the participants brought home a small eppendorf containing red cabbage to keep on playing with the pH at home.
Alexei Ganin, Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, visited us to share a few days and present the last advances of his team on using solid state electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water. Thanks for visiting!
MOF School held in Lake Como (Italy) with an amazing line up of invited speakers and presented her recent work on the nanosizing of titanium frameworks and photoactive Zr(IV) MOFs. They also had time to make new friends! See here for more info.
Carlos visited KU Leuven (Prof. Dirk De Vos and Francisco García Cirujano) to present the last results of the team on charge transport and photoactivity in MOFs.
Carlos joined Yaghi´s lab at UC Berkeley as a visiting scholar to discuss on potential collaborations on water adsorption and CO2 reduction with heterometallic titanium organic frameworks. Thanks for the invitation!
Isabel and Francisco have been awarded the Marie Curie and “La Caixa” Junior Leader Fellowships, respectively. These are very competitive calls that highlight their excellent scientific and academic performance. Congratulations!
Victor has officially become Dr. Rubio-Giménez after defending his PhD Thesis. The jury was formed by Prof. Mirica, Medina and Gándara. Victor will continue his work on conductive and magnetic MOFs until September 2019 when he will join Ameloot´s group at Leuven with a FWO Fellowship. Congratulations!
Katherine Mirica (Dartmouth College) visited us and presented the recent advances of her team on conductive metal-organic frameworks to develop advanced sensory platforms. We are hopeful this will initiate a fruitful collaboration between both groups.
Funimat was very well represented at the Novel Porous Materials Symposium held in Australia and the 6th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Open Framework Compounds held in New Zealand. Carlos and Natalia presented our last results in Titanium Organic-Frameworks. For more details see here
Prof. Christian Doonan from University of Adelaide visited us to lecture on the recent advances of his team on the potential of MOF biocomposites for application to industrial, heterogeneous and biocatalysis. We are hopeful this will initiate a fruitful collaboration between both groups.
With the help of the venture fund BeABLE Capital, Carlos has founded Porous Materials and Advanced Applications, S.L. The company has been certified as spin-off of the Universidad the Valencia and right after its birth has been recognized with the VLC Start Up award organised by the Parc Científic.
Carlos visited the Universidad de Granada (Prof. Jorge A. R. Navarro) to present our research on lateral and vertical charge-transport in ultrathin MOF films.
MOF ultrathin films. Victor presented our recent work on spin-crossover materials at the nanoscale. For more details see here
Kim Jelfs (Imperial College of London) and Martijn Zwijnenburg (University College London) visited us to lecture on the recent advances of their teams on the modelling of porous cages and high-throughput screening pf polymer photocatalysts. We are hopeful this will initiate a fruitful collaboration between both groups.
FuniMAT was present at the International Symposium Polymat-Spotlight devoted to 2D and Porous Polymers. Carlos delivered a keynote lecture on ‘Charge Transport in Ultrathin films of Metal-Organic Frameworks’