Title: Doctoral Research Assistant
Major: Chemistry
Contact Info: jmurillo6@miners.utep.edu

Project Title (1): Novel GICs Based on Fullerene Intercalation

Project Description (1): Graphite intercalated compounds (GICs) are a class of materials based on the intercalation of atoms, ions or molecules within the graphene sheets of bulk graphite material. Such compounds display unique and important electronic properties. Fullerene GICs are not well established in the literature and could potentially contain enhanced physical and electronic properties compared too known GICs. This project is a collaboration between the Echegoyen and Fortier labs at UTEP. Using the fullerene chemistry expertise of Dr. Echegoyen’s lab and the technical air sensitive material handling skills of Dr. Fortier’s lab, this project aims to generate and characterize these new materials.

Project Title (2): Synthesis and Characterization of Uranium Containing Endohedral Fullerenes

Project Description (2): Endohedral fullerenes have been a hotbed of new research in recent history. Since first discovered, nearly 30 years ago, endohedrals have shown to possess electronic and features which no other molecules have displayed. The interior space of a fullerene has proven to be a wonderful place for unusual and surprising chemistry to take place. Uranium endohedrals have been theorized for over 20 years but their synthesis has eluded chemist. Very recent activity has shown progress in this regard and the Echegoyen lab is leading the way on optimizing synthetic and purification methods to create new endohedrals which belong to this long sought after class of molecules.