Ph.D., Cornell University, 1987.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Texas at Austin, 1987-88.
NASA Administrator's Fellow, Glenn Research Center, 2000-2001

Email: ccabrera@uprrp.edu

Phone: : 787-764-0000 ext. 4807 (of)
7282, 7283 (lab)

Fax: 787-756-8242

Field of Interest: Electrochemistry and Surface Science: Nanomaterials for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and Li Batteries; Nanostructured Surfaces; Sensors and Surface Analysis.

Field of Interest: Electrochemistry and Surface Science: Nanomaterials for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and Li Batteries; Nanostructured Surfaces; Sensors and Surface Analysis.

Tailored made surfaces are of importance in research areas such as catalysis, chemical and physical sensors, energy conversion and storage, and in the development of miniaturized electronic devices. In our research group we have several projects geared in this direction. Typically, we use organometallic coordination chemistry, electrodeposition, (electrochemical) corrosion, and self-assembled monolayer as methods to develop new surfaces and nanomaterials. Surface science techniques are used routinely to characterize them. From atomic force microscopy (AFM) to angle resolved high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS), our group gets hands-on experience with analytical surface analysis techniques. Following we have a brief description of our main topics.

Subnanostructuring of Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells - Direct methanol fuel cell is becoming a tangible possibility to replace fossil fuel as an energy source of the future. The development of novel catalysts, by subnanostructuring, for the oxidation of methanol and the reduction of oxygen is of great interest in the scientific community. Higher efficiency and longer stability are within the goals that must be met. We are currently interested in new types of catalysts for the oxidation of methanol. The methods used for the preparation of these catalysts are organometallic coordination to oxide surfaces and co-electrodeposition at metallic and semi-metallic substrates. Our goal is to develop a catalyst that can beat the commercially available ones. This project is a collaborative effort with the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, and Argonne National Laboratory.

Nanoelectrochemical Lithography (NECL) -Nanostructured interfaces are of importance on the development of tailor-made surfaces to be applied on catalysis, electronic devices, and chemical and physical sensors. Using self-assembled techniques with electrochemistry we can do nanostructured surfaces. The electrochemical methods may include electrochemical etching, corrosion inhibition, electrochemically induced desorption, composite monolayers, and under- and over-potential electrodeposition. The combination of these methods can lead us to the development of tailor-made trimetallic surface to be used in electrocatalytic processes, lithography-like patterns for deposition, and chemical and physical recognition sensors. The methodology to be used on the development of the tailor-made surfaces may be called Nanoelectrochemical Lithography (NECL).

Lithium Secondary Batteries - As we reach the 21st century, we find ourselves on the urgency of finding new and more efficient and environmentally friendly power systems. Efficient rechargeable Li battery systems are one of the most important breakthroughs needed to fulfill the new requirements for zero-emission and low-emission power systems. Secondary batteries are ideally suited for storing electric energy and serving as power sources for portable devices. Developing strategies to develop more efficient and long lasting system is needed. In this project we are looking at new electrode materials, based on carbon nanotube, and Li polymer electrolyte, doped with nanoceramic particles. In addition to the development of new materials, an understanding of the interfacial reaction in Li secondary batteries is of our interest.

With these projects, our research group is exposed to analytical surface science techniques. These includes X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning Auger electron microscopy (SAM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR microscopy, and ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS). These projects and analytical techniques are geared to expose our research group to state of the art nanotechnology and to important scientific problems.

Selected Publications

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