ESISNA group (Materials Science Institute of Madrid, CSIC)

In our group we are interested in the study at the nanoscale of low-dimensional systems. We search for alternative methodologies to induce tailored chemical reactions by using model systems. We focus on the interaction between adsorbates and surfaces in ultra-high-vacuum.

Our main research lines comprise:

  • On surface chemistry.
  • Graphene and other 2D systems.
  • Organics on oxide surfaces.
  • Astrochemistry and surface science.

For our studies we use an adequate combination of different experimental surface science techniques (STM, LEED, IRS, XPS synchrotron radiation) and theoretical formalisms, and develop new experimental tools.

  • On surface chemistry.

    • We mainly focus on new and emerging nano-architectures of reduced dimensionality by using organic precursors as building blocks and bottom-up strategies. We are interested in the effect of surfaces on the molecular properties. We seek enhancement of the opto-electronic and catalytic efficiencies of the organic interfaces.

  • Graphene and other 2D systems.

    • In ESISNA we study the emerging properties of materials of reduced dimensionality with a special emphasis on 2D materials. We develop tools to couple the atomic structure of 2D materials with functional groups and other 2D materials by on-surface synthesis in order to obtain novel nano-architectures.

    • Organics on oxide surfaces.

    On this basis, our main motivation consists in acquiring valid and robust methodologies for a rational assembling of molecular objects on TiO2, and the on-surface modification of the organic precursors. Innovative strategies, involving a precise control of molecular structures on well-defined surface reconstructions, are of paramount importance to technologically exploit the concept of rational bottom-up design and assembly.

    • Astrochemistry and surface science.

    The dilated background accumulated by our group through last decades in UHV equipment has permitted us to design and commission a unique instrumentation for simulating the vacuum of the cosmos. The Stardust machine, developed under the ERC Project Nanocosmos, mimics the conditions of a red giant star in our laboratory. The Stardust machine is very versatile and will also permit to create, within the FotoArt-CM Project tailored nanoparticles for catalytic reactions and create robust scaffolds to be integrated in artificial photosynthesis technologies.