Rafael Sanchez

Rafael graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2023, obtaining a master’s degree in chemistry. His fourth-year master’s research project investigated the synthesis of organometallic compounds for use in C-H activation catalysis, under the supervision of Professor Deborah Kays. He started his PhD in October 2023, as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training, working within the Nottingham Applied Materials and Interface under the supervision of Professor Graham Newton.

Rafael’s project will develop a range of cobalt-based organometallic complexes as single metal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, where the metal centre is stabilised using highly sterically encumbering ligands. These unique complexes have never been investigated for HER chemistry, despite their favourable redox chemistry and substrate binding environment. The cobalt compounds will be investigated for their redox chemistry and sensitivity to acid, along with their electrochemical response in the HER conditions.