Rodolfo Zanella-Specia

Rodolfo Zanella-Specia serves as a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he previously directed both ICAT and UNAM's Representative Office in France. His career spans catalysis, nanomaterials, and environmental engineering with over 160 publications and significant recognition for scientific impact.

Education:

• PhD in Process Engineering and Catalysis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris VI (2003)
• Master's in Chemical Engineering, UNAM (2000)
• Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, UNAM (1998)

Dr. Zanella's research focuses on designing nanostructured catalysts for critical environmental and energy applications. His expertise encompasses monometallic/bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis on oxide supports, catalytic exhaust gas treatment (CO oxidation, NO reduction), hydrogen production/purification (water-gas shift, PROX), and photocatalytic water remediation/hydrogen generation. This work bridges fundamental surface science with practical solutions for air/water pollution and sustainable energy.

His publication trends reveal sustained innovation in bimetallic catalyst systems for low-temperature oxidation reactions and advanced photocatalytic materials. Recent work emphasizes structure-activity relationships in Ru-Co, Au-Ir, and Pd-Mn catalysts while expanding into solar-driven pharmaceutical degradation and 3D-printed monolithic reactors, demonstrating consistent progression from fundamental mechanisms to environmental applications.

Scientific Awards:

• Elsevier Most Cited Article Award (twice)
• National University Award of Distinction for Young Scientists (UNAM)
• UNAM Most Cited Researcher in Chemistry

Dr. Zanella has mentored 33 BSc, 18 MSc, 5 PhD students, and 15 postdocs while securing 22 funded projects. Current grants include PAPIIT-DGAPA-UNAM projects on SARS-CoV-2 environmental dissemination and bimetallic catalyst active sites, plus a CONACYT project studying catalysts under dynamic reaction conditions.

He leads the "Catalysis and Surface Processes" academic group at ICAT, coordinating interdisciplinary teams across nanotechnology, environmental engineering, and materials science to develop next-generation catalytic solutions.