We have developed a new fabrication strategy for producing nanostructured CuO photocathodes based on the deposition of CuO nanoparticles generated by a sputter gas aggregation source, followed by an optimized thermal treatment. This approach enables precise control over the structural evolution of the nanoparticle films, promoting their recrystallization into…
In this work, we investigate the formation mechanisms of silicon carbide cosmic dust under conditions mimicking the atmospheres of evolved carbon-rich stars. By combining ultra-high vacuum experiments, advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, and theoretical modelling, we demonstrate the key role played by molecular hydrogen in triggering the chemical pathways that…
In a collaboration with Czech researchers we have used Ångström-scale tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to reveal how the atomic structure of a metal surface can subtly reshape the vibrational behaviour of a single molecule. By mapping individual iron phthalocyanine molecules adsorbed on Ag(111) and Ag(110), we show that small changes in…
In this work, we present a novel methodology to transform the metal monochalcogenide (MMC) β-SnSe into the surface alloy Au2Sn through exposure to atomic hydrogen, which promotes selenium desorption from the surface. We have charactertized the transformation by means of STM, XPS and LEED, identifying an intermediate state where both…
Tailoring the adsorption properties of 2D materials for targeted chemical processes is a central challenge in surface science. In particular, modulating hydrogen binding on graphene has strong relevance for catalysis and energy applications. In this study, we investigate hydrogen chemisorption across ten distinct moiré superstructures formed by graphene on various…
Synthesizing new low-dimensional materials with tailored functionalities for specific applications remains a major challenge in the field of on-surface synthesis. Among these materials, polymers incorporating photoactive moieties stand out as promising candidates for photocatalytic applications, given the exceptional photocatalytic activity exhibited by their bulk counterparts. In this work, following an…
The role of stereochemistry—the spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules—on the reaction pathway has been largely overlooked in on-surface synthesis despite being crucial in organic chemistry. In this work, we demonstrate how the starting diastereomeric configuration can drive the surface-induced transformation of a substituted cyclooctatetraene (COT) structure—a key molecule in…
We have designed and upgraded a scanning probe microscope (SPM) to allocate the required internal optical setup required to perform atomic-scale spectromicroscopy. This system is the first operational SPM-TERS in Spain capable of working under cryogenic and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions with nanometre resolution. Unlike previous versions that rely on…
Metal-coordinated networks are promising catalysts for environmental applications like green hydrogen production and pollutant photo-degradation. While traditionally 3D, recent efforts have extended these networks to 2D, though synthesis and stability remain challenging. Using a bottom-up approach, we successfully designed and synthesized a 2D hexagonal carbon nitride Cu-coordinated network by combining…
Aliphatics are prevalent in various solar system bodies and the interstellar medium, with linear alkanes (n-CnH2n+2) detected in carbonaceous chondrites in small amounts. Despite their consistent presence, their formation mechanism in meteorites remains unclear. This study proposes a gas-phase synthesis mechanism for n-alkanes from carbon and hydrogen under conditions similar…