Imagine being able to watch a material transform while it is working, atom by atom. What may sound like science fiction is now possible thanks to advances in electron microscopy. Today, scientists can observe materials under conditions similar to those in real chemical reactions, providing an unprecedented view of processes that were once invisible.
These advances are particularly relevant in a world facing growing energy demands. Modern societies rely on vast amounts of energy to sustain transportation, industry, communication, and daily life. At the same time, dependence on a limited number of energy sources can create vulnerabilities in supply and availability. Developing cleaner and more diverse energy technologies has therefore become one of the major scientific challenges of our time.
A key tool in this effort is catalysis. Catalysts are materials that accelerate chemical reactions while reducing the energy required for them to occur. Thanks to them, reactions that would otherwise be too slow or inefficient can become technologically viable. Catalysis is involved in countless industrial processes and is expected to play a central role in future sustainable energy systems.
In our research, we develop catalysts based on metallic nanoparticles supported on nanostructured materials. Their very small dimensions provide large surface areas and a high number of active sites where chemical reactions can take place. These catalysts can be applied to environmentally relevant processes such as hydrogen production from water, purification of hydrogen for fuel cells, and the conversion of captured carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals. Many of these processes can also be assisted by sunlight through photocatalysis, reducing the need for additional energy input.
However, designing better catalysts requires more than simply producing new materials. Scientists must understand how these materials behave while they are working. This is where advanced microscopy becomes essential
Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we can visualize materials at nearly atomic resolution. Even more remarkably, modern in situ microscopy allows us to observe catalysts while they are exposed to reactive gases and elevated temperatures, closely resembling real operating conditions. Rather than studying a static material, we can watch how its structure evolves during a reaction and identify the changes responsible for its performance.
By revealing the hidden behaviour of materials at the atomic scale, these techniques are helping scientists design more efficient catalysts and accelerate the development of cleaner energy technologies. Sometimes, solving global challenges begins with learning how to see the invisible.
My name is Carmen Mora Moreno. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Córdoba. Afterwards, I moved to Cádiz to pursue a Master's degree in Nanoscience and Materials Technology at the University of Cádiz.
Following the completion of my master's studies, I began my PhD research in the Department of Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cádiz. I am currently in the final year of my doctoral thesis and close to completing it.
My research focuses on the design, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of copper-based catalysts for their application in environmentally relevant reactions, with the aim of developing efficient and alternative pathways for energy production. A key aspect of this work is the use of high-resolution electron microscopy, which allows us to study the properties of materials at the nanoscale.
In addition, during my PhD, I have had the opportunity to undertake several research stays, including at the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP-CSIC) in Madrid, the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and the Institute of Chemistry and Processes for Energy, Environment and Health (ICPEES) at the University of Strasbourg, France.