Research interests

Photoelectrochemistry

We work on developing new materials and photoelectrode architectures for photoelectrochemcial reactions, including water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. We develop novel approaches to engineer the interface between semiconductors and electrolytes, in order to optimize the performance of the semiconductors and achieve efficient solar energy devices for the production of solar fuels. We develop fabrication methods to tune those interfaces and boost their photoelectrochemical final performance. We have capacity for electrode synthesis as well as potentiostats, solar simulators, LEDs, monochromators, gas chromatograph, etc. for a full (photo)electrochemical and gas evolution characterization. Materials that we work on include bismuth vanadate, iron oxide, titania, hematite, and perovskites, for either photoanodes or photocathodes.

Recent publications:

Regue, M.; Sibby, S.; Ahmet, I.Y.; Friedrich, D.; Abdi, F.F.; Johnson, A.L.; Eslava, S. TiO2 photoanodes with exposed {0 1 0} facets grown by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition of a titanium oxo/alkoxy cluster. J. Mater. Chem. A 2019, 7, 19161-19172.  

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Poli, I.; Hintermair, U.; Regue, M.; Sackville, E.; Baker, J.; Watson, T.; Eslava, S.; Cameron, P.J. Graphite-protected CsPbBr3 perovskite photoanodes functionalised with water oxidation catalyst for oxygen evolution in water; Nat. Comm. 2019, 10, 2097

Walsh, D.; Zhang, J.; Dassanayake, R.; Regue, M.; Eslava, S. Simultaneous Formation of FeOx Electrocatalyst Coating within Hematite Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting;. ACS Applied Energy Mater. 2019, 2, 2043–2052

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Zhang, J.; García-Rodríguez, R.; Cameron, P.J.; Eslava, S. Role of Cobalt−Iron (Oxy)Hydroxide (CoFeOx) as Oxygen Evolution Catalyst on Hematite Photoanodes. Energy Environ. Sci. 2018, 11, 2972-2984. 

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Photocatalysis

We study the discovery and development of promising semiconductor photocatalysts that absorb the solar spectrum and effectively avoid recombination of photoinduced charges. We focus on (i) obtaining high surface area materials and composites using synthesis approaches with scale-up capability, (ii) discovering novel multimetallic oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysts to be coated on semiconductor absorbing layers; and (iii) understanding the kinetics of such interfaces to rationalize the improved activities. We also put emphasis on the reactor design, to enable more efficient reactions in gas and liquid phase. 

Recent publications:

Kumar S.; Regue, M,; Isaacs, M.A.; Freeman, E.; Eslava S.; All-Inorganic CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals: Gram-Scale Mechanochemical Synthesis and Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Methane, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2020


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 Eslava, S.; Reynal, A.; Rocha, V.G.; Barg, S.; Saiz, E. Using Graphene Oxide as a Sacrificial Support of Polyoxotitanium Clusters to Replicate Its Two-Dimensionality on Pure Titania Photocatalysts. J. Mater. Chem. A 2016, 4, 7200-7206.

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Jo, W.K.; Kumar, S.; Eslava, S.; Tonda, S. Construction of Bi2WO6/RGO/g-C3N4 2D/2D/2D hybrid Z-scheme heterojunctions with large interfacial contact area for efficient charge separation and high-performance photoreduction of CO2 and H2O into solar fuels. Appl. Cat. B Environ. 2018, 239, 586-598


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Materials and Engineering

We have a background in materials science and characterization, with expertise in high surface area materials such as porous metal oxides, graphene derivatives, zeolites, mesoporous silicas, and heterometallic clusters. We focus on bottom-up syntheses using sol-gel, solvothermal, and CVD aproaches and on their extended characterization to relate their properties to their final performance, allowing fundamental understanding needed for their optimization. We cover a wide range of characterization techniques, including HR-TEM, FESEM, XPS, XRD, N2-ads, spectroscopic ellipsometry, UPS, UV-vis spectroscopy, Raman, and electrochemical techniques such as IMPS, IMVS, EIS, LSV, and RDE.

Recent publications: 

Rood, S.; Ahmet, H.; Gomez-Ramon, A.; Torrente-Murciano, L.; Reina, T. R.; Eslava, S. Enhanced Ceria Nanoflakes using Graphene Oxide as a Sacrificial Template for CO Oxidation and Dry Reforming of Methane. Appl. Cat. B. Environ. 2019, 242, 358-368. 

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Zhang, Y.; Kumar, S.; Marken, F.; Krasny, M.; Roake, E.; Eslava, S.; Dunn, S.; Da Como, E.; Bowen, C.R.  Pyro-electrolytic  water  splitting  for  hydrogen generation. Nano Energy 2019, 58, 183-191.

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 Olowojoba, G. B.; Kopsidas, S.; Eslava, S.; Gutierrez, E. S.; Kinloch, A. J.; Mattevi, C.; Rocha, V. G.; Taylor, A. C. A Facile Way to Produce Epoxy Nanocomposites Having Excellent Thermal Conductivity with Low Contents of Reduced Graphene Oxide. J. Mater. Sci. 2017, 52 (12) 7323-734.