Hugo Tiznado

In 2004, he graduated in the area of catalysis from the PhD program in Physics of Materials (currently Nanosciences) at CICESE and CNyN-UNAM. Subsequently, he completed a three-year postdoctoral stay in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California Riverside, where he investigated surface reaction mechanisms during the growth of thin films using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. In 2007, he joined the CNyN-UNAM, where he currently holds the position of Senior Researcher B and is ranked at level 2 of the SNII.

His line of research focuses on the Fabrication of Nanostructures with Controlled Properties, mainly using the ALD technique for synthesis. He employs a bottom-up approach to achieve the precise growth of structures at the molecular level, taking advantage of self-limiting reactions on the surface of precursor molecules. Applications of interest include energy storage in solid-state devices, waveguides, optical filters, catalysis, and more recently, self-assembled molecules (SAM’s) for area-selective ALD. He has published more than 100 scientific papers.

Atomic layer alchemy: engineering nanomaterials, one layer at a time

Hugo Tiznado

Nanotechnology, driven by the pursuit of novel materials with tailored properties, hinges on precise control over nanoscale structures. The transformative power of surface engineering can be realized through atomic layer deposition (ALD), crafting nanomaterials with precise control over their structure, composition, and properties. Structure control is possible by template-assisted techniques, and composition and properties by adjusting the reactions within the ALD process and combining different materials. Then, we will explore the application of ALD in various fields, including energy storage, memristive switching, and photonics.

In the realm of energy storage, we will discuss the development of a thin film solid-state battery based on the electrolyte YSZ ALD-engineered nanostructures. By precisely controlling the properties of YSZ, we can enhance energy density. A model for describing the charge transport through the electrolyte is presented as a predictive tool that can aid in optimizing battery performance. Additionally, these nanostructures may also exhibit memristive behavior, opening up new possibilities for energy-efficient memory devices.

Turning to photonics, we will showcase the versatility of ALD in creating optical waveguides and filters. Through the precise control of layer thickness and composition, we can engineer nanomaterials with tailored refractive indices and optical properties. This enables the development of compact, efficient, and multifunctional photonic components.