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Isabel Abánades, ICMol researcher, wins a Leonardo Grant for the development of MOFs applied to water remediation

Written by admin | 04/04/2025

The ICMol scientist has been one of 10 people selected in the area of Physics and Chemistry to receive a prestigious Leonardo Scholarship from the BBVA Foundation. Its project aims to develop advanced cross-linked materials (MOFs) for the efficient removal of nitrates from contaminated water, an environmental challenge of great global relevance  

The researcher Isabel Abánades Lázaro, Ramón y Cajal and leader of the research group Defect Engineering of Responsive Advanced Materials (DREAM) at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), located in the scientific-academic area of the Science Park of the University of Valencia, has been one of the ten people selected in the Physics and Chemistry category in the extraordinary call for Leonardo Research Grants from the BBVA Foundation.

Its project, entitled "Multivariate Modulated MOFs for Nitrate Water Remediation", focuses on the development of advanced reticular materials (MOFs) specifically designed for efficient removal of nitrates from contaminated water, a major environmental problem.

The Leonardo Grants are intended to directly support the work of researchers in intermediate stages of their careers who are characterized by high and innovative scientific output. In this edition, a total of 493 applications have been received, of which only 10 have been selected in the area of Physics and Chemistry.

Each grant is endowed with a maximum gross amount of 50,000 euros and allows for great flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of each project, lasting between 12 and 18 months.

Its project, entitled "Multivariate Modulated MOFs for Nitrate Water Remediation", focuses on the development of advanced reticular materials (MOFs) specifically designed for efficient removal of nitrates from contaminated water, a major environmental problem

From her DREAM group, Isabel Abánades is driving a line of research focused on the design and modulation of advanced reticular materials with applications in health and environment. The group is a pioneer in the use of Multivariate Modulation (MTVM), an innovative synthetic technique that allows specific functionalities to be introduced by engineering defects and heterogeneity. This approach allows for larger and more complex pore structures, improving key properties such as reactivity and porosity without compromising structural stability. In addition, the group studies self-assembly and crystallization processes in situ to adapt material properties to specific applications such as water contaminant filtration, energy generation by photocatalysis and controlled drug release. 

Do not miss our reel "What are MOFs?" in which we have the explanation of Isabel Abánades 

 

Source: ICMol