THE VELÁZQUEZ LAB · UC DAVIS CHEMISTRY
Materials chemistry for clean energy and a cleaner environment
ABOUT THE LAB
In the Velázquez Research Group at UC Davis, we develop advanced materials to address challenges in clean energy, environmental remediation, and nanoelectronics. We design materials with precisely controlled structures—including atomically thin layers, nanocrystalline films, and porous solids—and investigate how their structures influence their properties and performance. By combining materials synthesis with microscopy, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and synchrotron-based techniques, we connect fundamental chemistry with practical applications.
15
current lab members and visiting scientists
22
alumni now in academia, national labs and industry
LATEST PUBLICATION
Potassium Molybdenum Chalcogenides: Electronic Structure Modulation through Cluster Dimensionality
Smiley, R.E.; Mason, K.G.; Ortíz-Rodriguez, J.C.; Lam, R.A.; Hyler, F.P.; Velázquez, J.M.
Chemistry of Materials, 2026
Our research
Three connected programs, from making new materials to understanding how they work in devices and in the environment.
01
Energy conversion catalysts
How catalysts for hydrogen evolution, CO2 reduction, nitrogen fixation and oxygen evolution actually work, revealed with in-situ microscopy, spectroscopy and electroanalysis.
02
Multi-dimensional materials
Oxide, carbide and sulfide nanoparticles, nanowires, thin films and arrays grown by MOCVD, microwave heating and sputtering, tuned for energy conversion and storage.
03
Environmental remediation
Robust, low-cost mesoporous monoliths and metal chalcogenides that remove oil, heavy metals and radioactive ions from polluted water.
Recent publications
- Flash-Joule heating enables rapid solid-state synthesis of multinary chalcogenides: a case study on Cu2Mo6S8
Chemical Communications, 2026 - Local Structural Coherence and Interfacial Charge Transfer in Cu2S/MoS2 Heterostructure
PRX Energy, 2026 - Solution and Active Site Speciation Drive Selectivity for Electrocatalytic Reactive Carbon Capture in Diethanolamine over Ni-N-C Catalysts
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2026
In the news
- What to watch for in chemistry in 2025
C&EN - Carbon capture method mines cement ingredients from the air
UC Davis Letters & Science - Building a space for academic rigor and empathy: tracing the origin of a chemist with Jesús Velázquez
UC Davis Letters & Science
Watch
C&EN Talented 12: an interview with Professor Jesús Velázquez
2025 UC Davis commencement: Professor Velázquez addresses the graduating class (watch from 35:28)
Join the lab
We welcome prospective graduate students, undergraduates and visiting scholars who want to build materials for energy and the environment. Through INSPIRA and our outreach programs, we also open research pathways for students from community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and HBCUs.