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CATRIN-MAT

Molecular Nanostructures on Surfaces

The group investigates materials down to individual atoms and molecules using scanning probe techniques.
Research Areas
Dr. Bruno de la Torre
Group leader
Phone +420585634472
E-mail bruno.de@upol.cz
doc. Ing. Pavel Jelínek, Ph.D.
Group Co-leader
E-mail pavel.jelinek@upol.cz

About the group

This Research group investigates the electronic and quantum properties of atomically precise molecular nanostructures on solid surfaces. Our research focuses on low-dimensional carbon-based nanostructures, where reducing matter to the atomic limit gives rise to novel physical phenomena.
We aim to understand and control structure–property relationships at the single-molecule scale, essential for future nanoelectronic and quantum technologies, addressing challenges of scalability, energy efficiency, and functional control in nanoscale systems.

We combine on-surface synthesis with advanced scanning probe techniques providing atomic-scale access to electronic properties. This is complemented by theory development linking structure and electronic behaviour.

The group collaborates closely with organic chemists for tailored molecular synthesis and with national and international academic partners. Within CATRIN, we are strongly connected to nanofabrication and theory groups and use ultra-high-vacuum, low-temperature STM/nc-AFM infrastructure.

Research interests

  • Molecular nanoelectronics
  • Nanographene spintronics
  • Single-atom catalysis

News

List of Employees

Name Academic title E-mail Phone Position
Bruno de la Torre Dr. bruno.de@upol.cz +420585634472 Group leader
Jan Berger Ing., Ph.D. jan.berger02@upol.cz
Pavel Jelínek doc. Ing., Ph.D. pavel.jelinek@upol.cz
Himani Malik Ph.D. himani.malik@upol.cz

Group publications

A. Barragán, E. Pérez‐Elvira, D. J. Vicent, M. Lozano, D. Soler‐Polo, K. Lauwaet, J. M. Gallego, R. Miranda, J. I. Urgel, P. Jelínek, N. Martín and D. Écija
"Stepwise On‐Surface Synthesis and Transformations of Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks by Controlled Thermal Stimuli",
ADVANCED MATERIALS, vol. 38, iss. 51, article no. 2506942, 2026.
IF = 29.1
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202506942
F. Villalobos, J. Berger, A. Matěj, R. Nieman, A. Sánchez-Grande, D. Soler, A. P. Solé, H. Lischka, M. Matoušek, J. Brabec, L. Veis, A. Millan, C. Sánchez-Sánchez, A. G. Campaña, J. M. Cuerva and P. Jelínek
"Globally aromatic odd-electron π-magnetic macrocycle",
CHEM, vol. 11, iss. 2, pp. 102316, 2025.
IF = 19.1
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2024.09.015
M. Tenorio, M. Lozano, L. Cerna, M. Martínez García, M. Urbani, K. Lauwaet, K. Biswas, D. Soler‐Polo, S. K. Mathialagan, S. O. Parreiras, J. M. Gallego, R. Miranda, J. I. Urgel, T. Torres, P. Jelínek, G. Bottari and D. Écija
"Coordinative Self‐assembly of π‐Electron Magnetic Porphyrins",
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE INTERNATIONAL EDITION, vol. 64, iss. 9, pp. e202420572, 2025.
IF = 17.6
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202420572
F. Frezza, A. Sánchez‐Grande, S. Canola, C. Nacci, J. Klívar, P. Mutombo, Q. Chen, J. M. Gómez‐Fernandez, C. Sánchez‐Sánchez, J. Berger, K. Ernst, I. G. Stará, J. Á. Martín‐Gago, I. Starý, L. Grill and P. Jelínek
"Photogeneration and Visualization of a Surface‐Stabilized Dinitrene",
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE INTERNATIONAL EDITION, vol. 64, iss. 20, pp. e202502640, 2025.
IF = 17.6
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202502640
F. Frezza, M. Kumar, A. Sánchez-Grande, D. Soler-Polo, M. Carrera, O. Stetsovych, P. Mutombo, D. Curiel and P. Jelínek
"On-Surface Synthesis of a Large-Scale 2D MOF with Competing π–d Ferromagnetic/Antiferromagnetic Order",
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, vol. 147, iss. 23, pp. 19575-19582, 2025.
IF = 16.6
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c17993
A. Vegliante, M. Vilas-Varela, R. Ortiz, F. Romero Lara, M. Kumar, L. Gómez-Rodrigo, S. Trivini, F. Schulz, D. Soler-Polo, H. Ahmoum, E. Artacho, T. Frederiksen, P. Jelínek, J. I. Pascual and D. Peña
"On-Surface Synthesis of a Ferromagnetic Molecular Spin Trimer",
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, vol. 147, iss. 23, pp. 19530-19538, 2025.
IF = 16.6
CATRIN-MAT
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c15736
All group publications