The activities of the Environmental Catalysis Engineering Group fall within the area of Chemical Technologies, with a particular emphasis on catalytic environmental decontamination technologies aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable processes. The current main objective is the design and investigation of catalysts for advanced strategies for the treatment of contaminated waters, integrating solar-driven photocatalytic processes with other advanced oxidation processes to comply with water quality standards.

The Modeling for Theoretical Catalysis Group conducts research into surface chemistry/physics and fundamentals of catalytic reactions at metal surfaces, metal oxide surfaces, and supported oxide and metal catalysts.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Group started the activities in 1991, run by Dr. Daza, under a contract with the industry. The Group has participated in several projects (national, European, Latin American) and contracts with industries. It is considered a pioneering group in the fuel cell field (4 patents, significant publications and communications in international congresses). Dr. Daza is president of TC105 National Committee (1999) and the Spanish Fuel Cells Association (2002). The Group has possibilities for catalysts synthesis, physicochemical and electrochemical characterisation.

Development of different processes environmentably sustainable using enzymes as catalysts.

Our group studies surface biological processes using model systems and single molecule characterization techniques. We also explore the use of proteins for nanostructuring. The group has long time experience using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in liquid and in its application to study proteins. We also have a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) that allows us to study quantitatively binding of soluble proteins to modified surfaces.

Our group works on the development of separation techniques, optical detection systems and sensors based on molecular environment effects in the emission of fluorescence. These tools are applied to the characterization and/or determination of target analytes in complex systems such as those related to Lipidomics, detection of biological and biomedical interest compounds, petroleum products and biofuels.

The Advanced Chemical Processes group is formed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers belonging to the Department of Chemical Processes and Nanotechnology of the Institute of Carbochemistry, who have participated in national and European projects, as well as in research contracts with companies.

Design, development and characterization of functional polymer blends and nanocomposites based on graphene and related materials (GRMs) and sustainable nanostructured porous materials for sustainable smart textile, energy and environmental applications. Design / fabrication of multiphase materials with tailored functionality, and thermal, structural and morphological characterization to understand their solid-state behaviour. We study the parameters that control the interphase in heterogeneous polymeric materials, essential to develop new, advanced materials for specific applications.

Development of new components (electrodes and electrolytes) for energy conversion and storage electrochemical devices: electrochemical capacitors, rechargeable batteries and proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Synthesis and preparation of heterogeneous polymer based systems (multiphasic) and organo-inorganic hybrids: material design includes the tayloring of surfaces and interfaces. Superomniphobic surfaces: superhydrophobicity and superaoleophobicity. Superslippery surfaces Ionic and molecular transport Thermoplastic Electrolytesfor bateries, in particular Li (ion and metal) and Al More details in http://hempol.ictp.csic.es/, the web page of Grupo HEMPOL since 2013