Molecular approach to truly identical ultra-small CeO2 nanoparticles, and their use as catalysts and supports
George Christou, University of Florida, USA
Monday, 5 October 2026, 12.00 PM
ICMAB - Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles and ONLINE (Register here)
Abstract
Synthesis of truly monodisperse (identical size and shape) nanoparticles and their structural characterization to atomic precision are extremely important challenges in nanoscience. Growing interest in very small metal oxide nanoparticles (e.g., ≤ 10 nm) relevant to next-generation electronic, magnetic, catalytic, and biomedical systems makes better control of size and shape crucial for assessing properties as a function of exact size, shape, and surface features. Our interest is in the ‘ultra-small’ 1-3 nm size regime, which is within the reach of large molecular clusters, and we are therefore using mild solution methods to synthesize truly monodisperse, ultra-small metal oxide nanoparticles as molecular clusters, what we call ‘molecular nanoparticles’ if truly isostructural with the bulk material. This also provides an excellent foundation for achieving other objectives, such as (a) investigating catalytic and magnetic properties as a function of exact size and shape; and (b) employing them as supports for heterometals to model magnetic and catalytic units on a metal oxide surface. The status of our studies relevant to CeO2 will be described.
Short bio
George Christou was born on Cyprus, grew up in London, England, and obtained his BSc and PhD at Exeter University. After a postdoc at Manchester University (with C. D. Garner) and a NATO Fellowship at Stanford and Harvard Universities (with R. H. Holm) he began his independent career at Imperial College, London, then moved to Indiana University, and in 2001 to the University of Florida. His research is in synthetic and physical-inorganic chemistry of transition metals and lanthanides, including magnetic molecules and their quantum properties, molecular nanoparticles, and bioinorganic chemistry. He is a highly committed educator and conference organizer. He co-founded two international conferences and the new Molecular Magnetism in North America (MAGNA) conference.
Hosted by Núria Aliaga, from the Nanomol-Bio group (Materials for Electronics Research Line)
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