Research activities
We always embark from a deep fundamental understanding of the structure and chemical makeup of our subject matter to develop applications and novel materials.
To do this we spend a considerable amount of time in creating the foundations of our approach by ensuring that an adequate analytical framework is in place prior to commencing our inquiries. This is dictated by the inherent complexity of the lignocellulosic and polyphenolic substrates.
We always embark from a deep fundamental understanding of the structure and chemical makeup of our subject matter to develop applications and novel materials.
To do this we spend a considerable amount of time in creating the foundations of our approach by ensuring that an adequate analytical framework is in place prior to commencing our inquiries. This is dictated by the inherent complexity of the lignocellulosic and polyphenolic substrates.
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Main research topics
- New materials from lignins and tannins: nanostructures; nanocapsules and nanoparticles for active controlled release; nanofibers for biomedical and cosmetic devices, carbon nanoparticles and nanofibers from lignin and tannin nanostructures.
- Supported catalysts and biomimetic catalysts for the activation of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide to the selective oxidation and functionalization of natural substances: tannins, lignans, terpenes, cardanols, nucleosides, lignins and lignin model compounds.
- Immobilized catalysts from metalloporphyrins and methylrhenium trioxide
- Biocatalysis in processes of lignin degradation, with a special focus on the study of manganese peroxidase, laccases and laccase-mediator systems.
- Structural characterization of polyphenolic biomolecules (lignins and tannins) by advanced heteronuclear NMR techniques and quantitative 2D heterocorrelated NMR spectroscopy.
- Study of supramolecular association-dissociation behavior in lignin. Structural characterization of archaeological wood materials. Evaluation of ageing processes. Detection of radical species by 31P- based spin trap systems in oxidative systems: Lipoxigenase, laccase, bleaching solutions.