
Contact Information
University of Illinois
58 RAL, Box 33-5
600 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Research Areas
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Materials Research Lab
Professor, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
Biography
Joaquín Rodríguez-López did his undergraduate studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he performed research in electrochemistry with Prof. Marcelo Videa (2005). He then moved to nearby Texas to obtain a Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Allen J. Bard at the University of Texas at Austin (2010). He performed postdoctoral studies with Prof. Hector D. Abruña in Cornell University (2012). Joaquin’s group combines interests in electroanalytical chemistry and energy materials by developing chemically-sensitive methods for studying ionic and electronic reactivity in nano-structures, highly-localized surface features, and ultra-thin electrodes. Joaquin’s group aspires to build a dynamic and diverse environment for research that generates original concepts for high-performance energy technologies.
Research Interests
Nanoelectrochemistry; Advanced Electrochemical Characterization and Imaging of Materials and Interfaces for Electrocatalysis and Energy Storage; Redox Polymers; Ultrathin Electrodes; Electrochemical Simulation
Research Description
Our research focuses on characterizing heterogeneous electrode materials for elucidating their function and generating new strategies to advance electrochemical energy technologies and sensing. Our objective is to pioneer powerful methods of analysis at the nano- and micro-scale for understanding how electrode structure, shape and size, as well as the formation of chemical intermediates, impact the performance of materials and interfaces for batteries, electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts. The Rodriguez-Lopez group combines interests in analytical and materials chemistry.
Analytical focus. We use novel electrochemical and chemical probes for quantifying the impact of surface chemical and structural heterogeneities (e.g. defects, strain, sub-surface modifications) on the reaction kinetics and the evolution of interfacial reactivity. We aim at performing such analysis at the micro- and nano- scale and under relevant reacting conditions – that is, in situ and operando schemes. By doing so, we push the boundaries of state-of-the-art electrochemical analysis, performing measurements under challenging conditions such as in inert atmospheres or using sensitive chemistries. We carefully design experiments and chemical strategies together with computational methods for obtaining quantitative information. We make use of an array of electrochemical, spectroscopic, chemomechanical, and clean-room fabrication methods for testing new ideas in electron transfer, catalysis and energy storage.
Materials focus. On the materials side, my group is motivated by the idea that we can control the reactivity of one electrode or of an entire electrochemical device, by designing nano-scale interactions. We have used this concept, in collaboration with the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, for ambitiously advancing a new type of redox flow battery based on size-exclusion. In this project, highly soluble redox active polymers and colloids are used to store charge. We are intrigued by the electrochemical signatures of these polymers, and we are developing a framework that integrates concepts in electron transfer theory, single particle analysis, and polymer physics to understand the solution reactivity of polymers. Further advancing nano-materials, we are also interested in the exploration of electrochemistry across ultra-thin interfaces. For that purpose, we tailor the reactivity of ultra-thin few layer graphene electrodes by means of short-range electronic and electrostatic effects for uncovering new potential directions in energy conversion and storage. New avenues in the design of electrocatalytic platforms consisting of thin layers of electrocatalysts are also under study in our laboratory for the exploration of new strategies in the design of fuel cell electrodes.
Our group highly values creativity, diversity, and a refreshing view of electrochemical reactivity using unique tools and approaches.
Awards and Honors
- 2023 School of Chemical Sciences Faculty Teaching Award
- 2022 The Analytical Scientist Top 40 Under 40 Power List
- 2021 Zhaowu Tian Prize for Energy Electrochemistry by the International Society of Electrochemistry
- 2021 IAspire Leadership Academy Fellow
- 2020 Arthur F. Findeis Award for Achievements by a Young Analytical Scientist by the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry
- 2018 Science News SN 10: Scientists to Watch
- 2017 Scialog Fellow by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement
- 2017 Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award by the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry.
- 2016 ECS-Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship.
- 2016 Sloan Research Fellow
- 2016 Distinguished Service Award, East-Central Illinois ACS Local Section
- 2014 Joint Center for Energy Research Storage (JCESR) – Director’s fund award
- 2015 Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) Starter Grant
- 2012 Young Investigator Award, Energy Materials Center at Cornell
- 2010 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by Eli Lilly
- 2006 First Place for Best Bachelor Thesis in Electrochemistry, Sociedad Mexicana de Electroquímica (SMEQ)
Honors & Awards
2018 Science News SN 10: Scientists to Watch
2017 Scialog Fellow by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement
2017 Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award by the Society of Electroanalytical Chemistry.
2016-2017 ECS-Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship.
2016 Sloan Research Fellow
2016 Distinguished Service Award, East-Central Illinois ACS Local Section
2014-2016 Joint Center for Energy Research Storage (JCESR) – Director’s fund award
2015 Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) Starter Grant
2012 Young Investigator Award, Energy Materials Center at Cornell
2010 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by Eli Lilly
2006 First Place for Best Bachelor Thesis in Electrochemistry, Sociedad Mexicana de Electroquímica (SMEQ)
Recent Publications
Asserghine, A., Baby, A., Putnam, S. T., Qian, P., Gao, E., Zhao, H., & Rodríguez-López, J. (2023). In situ detection of reactive oxygen species spontaneously generated on lead acid battery anodes: a pathway for degradation and self-discharge at open circuit. Chemical Science, 14(43), 12292-12298. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC04736A
Danis, A. S., Counihan, M. J., Hatfield, K. O., Zhang, J., Agarwal, G., Zhang, L., Assary, R. S., & Rodríguez-López, J. (2023). Colocalized Raman spectroscopy – scanning electrochemical microscopy investigation of redox flow battery dialkoxybenzene redoxmer degradation pathways. Electrochimica Acta, 447, Article 142123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142123
Gaddam, R., Sarbapalli, D., Howard, J., Curtiss, L. A., Assary, R. S., & Rodríguez-López, J. (2023). An SECM-Based Spot Analysis for Redoxmer-Electrode Kinetics: Identifying Redox Asymmetries on Model Graphitic Carbon Interfaces. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 18(2), Article e202201120. https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.202201120
Hameed, F., Mohanan, M., Ibrahim, N., Ochonma, C., Rodríguez-López, J., & Gavvalapalli, N. (2023). Controlling π-Conjugated Polymer-Acceptor Interactions by Designing Polymers with a Mixture of π-Face Strapped and Nonstrapped Monomers. Macromolecules, 56(9), 3421-3429. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00175
Hatfield, K. O., Putnam, S. T., & Rodríguez-López, J. (2023). Inducing SERS activity at graphitic carbon using graphene-covered Ag nanoparticle substrates: Spectroelectrochemical analysis of a redox-active adsorbed anthraquinone. Journal of Chemical Physics, 158(1), Article 014701. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0130876