Papers
Surfactants for titanium nanoMOFs
Surfactants for titanium nanoMOFs

Maria´s work has been published in Chemical Communications. The work is focused on the use of amphiphilic modulators to control the formation of titanium MOF nanoparticles with minimum impact to the framework to enable the fabrication of highly porous thin films. Click for more info.

Linker depletion for missing cluster defects
Linker depletion for missing cluster defects

This manuscript by Isabel has been published in Chemical Science. The manuscript shows the value of integrating experimental work, computational modelling and thorough characterization in rationalizing the impact of defects over the porosity and structure of the titanium framework MUV-10. Click for more info.

Heterometallic titanium frameworks for unlocking mixed oxides
Heterometallic titanium frameworks for unlocking mixed oxides

Javi´s work during his stay in KAUST in J. Gascón´s group has been published in Chem Catalysis. The work illustrates the exciting possibilities offered by MUV-101(Fe) for the production of catalytic materials not accessible through traditional synthetic routes and opens the door to translating the atomic control of metal composition and distribution of the parent MOF onto complex mixed-oxide structures with industrial applications. Check the web for more info.

Selective implantation of amines in heterometallic MOFs
Selective implantation of amines in heterometallic MOFs

Elena’s work has been published as “hot paper” in Angewandte. Her work introduces the first example of isoreticular titanium–organic frameworks, MUV-10 and MUV-12, to show how the different affinity of hard Ti(IV) and soft Ca(II) metal sites can be used to direct selective grafting of amines for cooperative cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Check the web for more info.

Linker distribution controls photocatalytic activity
Linker distribution controls photocatalytic activity

Belen's work has been published in JACS. By using crystals of the mesoporous MOF UiO-68, we demonstrate how the conditions for linker exchange reactions permit controlling the incorporation of photoactive linkers across the crystals for asymmetric distributions that maximize photocatalytic performance. Click for more info

Promoting defectivity in titanium-organic frameworks
Promoting defectivity in titanium-organic frameworks

Isabel's work has been published in Chemical Science. Her work shows the ability of isophthalic to promote defect creation in the heterometallic Ti-MOF of the MUV-10 family. Compared to monocarboxylic acids, this bidentate linker permits compensating the structural distortion and energy penalty imposed by breaking the connectivity of the underlying framework. Click for more info

Heterometallic titanium-organic frameworks as dual-metal catalysts
Heterometallic titanium-organic frameworks as dual-metal catalysts

Javier, Natalia and Neyvis work has been published in Chem. Their work shows how the combination of Ti(IV) with different metals leads to heterometallic Titanium-Organic Frameworks with catalytic activity towards the degradation of nerve agent simulants. The synergetic cooperation of Ti(IV) and Fe(III) sites enables the degradation of Sarin simulants in water without additional co-catalysts. By using an integrative experimental/computational approach, we answer one of the key open questions in the area of mixed-metal MOFs: how can the metals in the inorganic node influence each other for tuning the performance of the material? Click for more info

Review on conducting and magnetic frameworks
Review on conducting and magnetic frameworks

vVíctor's review work on the charge transport and spin crossover properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers (CPs) has been published in the prestigious Chemical Society Reviews. This is FuniMat's first review article so far and hopes to bring together two research interest that have been rarely considered together electrical conductivity and the spin crossover transition. The effects of processing the materials as nanofilms and a few significant functional devices are also analysed. We are confident that these areas hold great technological potential and we expect an increasing number of fundamental studies which are necessary for the integration of MOFs and CPs into more sophisticated electronic devices. You can read the full review here.

Group News
Sabine is our new intern
Sabine is our new intern

Sabine is originally from Austria. She joins us with an Erasmus internship from the University of Graz after completing her Master in Technical Chemistry. She will approach new strategies for the design of bimetallic MOFs and bioconjugation chemistry. Good luck!

Clara is our new PhD student
Clara is our new PhD student

Clara graduated in Chemistry in 2020 at the University of Valencia. She has also completed the International Double Degree in Organic Chemistry between the UV and the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-École européenne de Chimie, Polymères et Matériaux (ECPM). She will be working in the design and evaluation of porous photocatalysts. Good luck Clara!

Meet our summer interns
Meet our summer interns

Guillermo and Víctor were born in Valencia. They will finish their BsC in Chemistry at the Universitat de València in 2022. They will look into the fundamentals of biodesign in crystalline frameworks. Good luck!

Emilie is our new intern
Emilie is our new intern

Emilie is originally from Lille. She joins with an Erasmus internship from the University of Lille. She will approach new strategies for the design of reticulated catalysts. Good luck!

Yahiya joins the team
Yahiya joins the team

Yahiya Saleh Walie will graduate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Valencia by the end of 2021. He will work with us in testing some of our patented MOFs in the degradation of postharvest pesticides.

Natalia comes back
Natalia comes back

Natalia comes back to the group after a successful postdoc at Baran's lab at Scripps Research in La Jolla. As a La Caixa Junior Leader Fellow, she will be leading a new research line that intends to exploit the potential of titanium-organic frameworks in photoredox reactivity. Welcome back!

Daniel joins the force
Daniel joins the force

Daniel is Valencian born and breed and will graduate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Valencia by the end of 2021. He has just joined FuniMAT to help us in approaching the validation of our Ti-MOFs of industrial relevance in the detoxification of organic pollutants. He loves comics (unfortunately Marvel mainly) and is a big fan of Physics and Star Wars. May the force be with him!

Welcome to the team Moussa
Welcome to the team Moussa

Moussa Faye obtained his degree in Chemistry in 2020 at the University of Valencia. During his last year, he did his degree’s final project with the analytical department developing a new technique for the simultaneous identification, separation and quantification of several drugs. He has joined the team as a Master Student to merge his previous work with the use of chiral MOFs for enantiomeric separation. He loves playing tennis and does some computer programming during his free time.

General info
Titanium nanoMOFs in the cover of Chem. Commun.
Titanium nanoMOFs in the cover of Chem. Commun.

The work by Maria on the use of surfactants for the synthesis of MOF nanoparticles has been highlighted as the front cover of the journal. Thanks to Javi for the artwork that was designed and produced with Blender.

MOF fabrics against toxic agents
MOF fabrics against toxic agents

The Agencia Valenciana de la Innovación has financed our project INNOTEX. With the support of AITEX, we intend to exploit some of our patented titanium frameworks to fabricate advanced fabrics to improve the performance of protective equipment towards toxic agents. See the news for more info.

Invited lecture at the 2nd MOF school
Invited lecture at the 2nd MOF school

Carlos presented our recent results in the design of titanium-organic frameworks at the second international school on Porous Materials `MOFschool21” organized by the Universities of Milan, Insubria and Granada. See here for more info.

Cover in Chem Catalysis
Cover in Chem Catalysis

The work by Javi on the calcination of heterometallic MOFs during hist stay at KAUST has been featured as the front cover of the 2nd issue of the journal. Congratulations! Click the link for more info.

Selective grafting in the cover of Angewandte
Selective grafting in the cover of Angewandte

The work by Elena on the implantation of diamines in the heterometallic nodes of MUV-12 has been highlighted as an inside cover in Angewandte. Thanks to Javi for the graphical concept that was designed and produced with Blender.

Impulse to Grow mentoring program
Impulse to Grow mentoring program

Our entrepreneurial initiative “Porous Materials in Action” was selected by Impulse to Grow for participating in a mentorship program advises technology companies on M&A transactions and financing for the growth, consolidation, and expansion of the business. Thanks for the support and looking forward for starting our own start-up!

Multivariate MOFs in the cover of JACS
Multivariate MOFs in the cover of JACS

The work by Belén on the asymmetric distribution of linkers for controlling the photocatalytic activity of UiO-68 crystals has been highlighted as supplementary cover in JACS. Thanks to Natalia and the creative team of Principia for the excellent result. Hope you will like it!

Plenary lecture in AMMR 2021
Plenary lecture in AMMR 2021

FuniMAT was present at the International virtual conference on Advances in Molecular Materials Research that was organized by the Visva-Bharati, Jadavour and Osaka universities. Thanks for the invitation! See here for more info.

Virtual seminar in Perú
Virtual seminar in Perú

Carlos presented our recent results in charge transport, photoactivity and chemical reactivity in metal-organic frameworks at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería in Perú in a virtual seminar organized by Juan Carlos Morales Gomero.

Farewell to Elena!
Farewell to Elena!

After starting a new research line centered in the selective implantation of amines to heterometallic MOFs, Elena leaves us to start a new adventure as a Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Fellow at the group of Joao Rocha in the University of Aveiro-Institute of Materials CICECO. Best luck Elena, we will miss you!

Congratulations Víctor!
Congratulations Víctor!

Víctor has received the prize NanoMatMol by the RSEQ to the best thesis in Nanoscience and Molecular Materials in 2019 and the best thesis in Chemistry by the Universidad de Valencia. Well done Víctor!. Check the link for further info.

Javi is FuniMAT's third graduate
Javi is FuniMAT's third graduate

Congratulations to Dr. Castells-Gil after his excellent remote PhD Thesis defense. The jury was formed by Profs. Serre, Lotsch and Gascón. Javi has done a great job developing new families of titanium-organic frameworks and studied their applications in catalysis. All the best for your new endeavours at the University of Birmingham. Congratulations!

Bimetallic Ti-MOFs in the media
Bimetallic Ti-MOFs in the media

Our work with heterometallic titanium-organic frameworks has been highlighted in the news. The use of these materials in the degradation of nerve agents exemplify one of the many applications that can be accessed by the controlled incorporation of two metals in the inorganic nodes of the MUV-101 family. See the news in English and Spanish.

Natalia receives the La Caixa Junior Leader Fellowship
Natalia receives the La Caixa Junior Leader Fellowship

Natalia has been awarded with one the fifteen prestigious fellowships by the Fundación La Caixa in the category “Retaining”. These fellowships are intended to foster high-quality, innovative research in Spain and Portugal and to support the best scientific talent by providing them with an attractive, competitive environment in which to conduct excellent research. Check the web for more info.