The detergents and soaps that we use extensively with different industrial and daily life applications, are dual organic molecules (polar and nonpolar) called surfactants, with the ability to spontaneously form a variety of self-assembled nanostructures. A very well-known example of a surfactant aggregate is the micelle. These molecules allow us to bring together water and oil in a single phase through the formation of emulsions and other systems. Inside these structures, we can encapsulate active ingredients such as perfumes, drugs, flavors, etc. and release them in a controlled way. Surfactant systems are used in all areas; both in everyday products and in sophisticated applications ranging from electronic devices to controlled-release pharmaceuticals.

This has allowed us to collaborate with different industries in a series of projects in which we have developed specialized formulations for the pharmaceutical industry (controlled and prolonged release of drugs), home care, food, paints, plastic composites, materials for batteries, antibacterial, floor coatings and construction materials, among others.

Surfactants form nanostructures of various morphologies and sizes in a simple, controlled and tunable way. Once formed, we can use them as a reaction medium or “template” to synthesize nanomaterials. In particular, our group makes use of microemulsions (water-in-oil or W/O, oil-in-water or O/W, and bicontinuous), resulting in nanoparticles of highly controlled size and composition, or in the formation of 3D hierarchical superstructures, allowing us to go from nano to macroscale.

On the other hand, electrodeposition, electrophoresis and galvanic displacement methods also allow us to synthesize nano and hierarchical superstructures in an easy, fast, economical and controllable way.

The design of materials includes the synthesis of polymers, as well as the functionalization of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, graphene, graphene oxide, etc.) with chemical groups that confer them a homogeneous dispersion in polymer matrices, and a suitable functionality for several advanced applications. In our research group of “Advanced Functional Materials & Nanotechnology,” we study and develop new chemical modification methods, to investigate how the influence of the type and concentration (graft density) of the functional groups present on the nanomaterial surface can modulate the macroscopic properties of polymers. The selective functionalization has allowed us to develop functional materials (functional polymer/nanomaterial) with super-anticorrosive properties, ultrafiltration, low friction, supercapacitors, sensors, energy storage, among others.

The synthesis of block polymers or copolymers and their subsequent functionalization illustrates an example in the design of proton exchange membranes for their potential applications in fuel-cells. The design of hybrid materials is another important factor in which we study the synthesis of polymers from the surface of any nanomaterial, or the incorporation of functional nanomaterials in polymers by extrusion, injection, or electro-spinning to investigate the thermal, mechanical, physicochemical properties, etc., of the resulting composites. 3D/4D printing of polymers allows us to develop surfaces with superhydrophobic properties, oil/water separation, etc., as well as composite structures with unusual properties.

Advanced multifunctional materials with low environmental impact, obtained through simple, low-cost processes that can be used in multiple applications, such as:

• – Decontamination of water, air and soil.
• – Generation and / or storage of renewable and clean energy.
• – Smart surfaces.

Our research group has obtained these multifunctional materials through various soft chemistry synthesis methods such as SOLGEL, classical solvothermal method, microwave assisted solvothermal, co-precipitation, among others.

The synthesized materials have been tested as photocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants in water and air, as well as in electrochemical devices to store energy.