Working in association with the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energies and the Chemistry Department of the University Of Liverpool, under the supervision of Prof. Jose Antonio Lopez-Sanchez and Dr. Thomas E. Davies. My project is currently focused on the synthesis, characterisation, tuning and study of the catalytic properties of inorganic and hybrid alumino-silicate nanotubes. The use of the materials as photo-catalysts for UV and visible light mediated transformations is also under study. Preferentially, water splitting processes and renewable fuels formation. In addition, the properties of the materials as acid catalysts and their application are also under investigation. More specifically, imogolite and its derivatives have shown an excellent performance in the conversion of waste matter (cellulose) towards more valuable platform chemicals such as glucose, fructose and HMF. Also, the materials shown a high level of tunability. They can be decorated with metals and metallic nanoparticles in order to combine the acidic catalytic properties of the supporting materials with the oxidising properties of the metals under the appropriate conditions. This will facilitate the obtention of further oxidation products such as gluconic and glucaric acids from cellulose, in one pot reaction.

Inorganic Chemistry and artificial photosynthesis.8 months project in collaboration with The Swedish Consortium for Artificial Photosynthesis (CAP), including the general annual meeting 2012 as member of the Molecular Bio mimetic Department.The project was aimed to expand the study and description of a very specific system for artificial photosynthesis, using Cobalt nano particles as catalysis for water splitting reactions; and Ru complexes as electron donor. the project was focus in different approaches such as particle size, speed of red-ox processes and synthesis of metallic catalysts. Supervisors: Dr. Sascha Ott and Dr. Andres Thapper.

Collaboration in catalysis and photocatalysis. The aim of the project was the synthesis of a metallic complex for asymmetric catalysis of alcohols. The actual catalyst comprised a ruthenium core stabilized by organic ligands such as bi-pyrimidines and previously synthesized bi-carbides. Group Leaders: Dr. Xavier Sala, Dr. Jordi Garcia-Anton, Dr. Roger Bofill and Dr. Lluis Escrihe.