Dr Luis León
Dr Luis León Alcaide is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, where he works with Professor Matthew J. Cliffe. His research focuses on the design and characterisation of functional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with particular emphasis on understanding how disorder, glass formation, and low-dimensionality influence magnetic behaviour.
Luis obtained his PhD in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from the University of Valencia (ICMol) in 2024 under the supervision of Professor Guillermo Mínguez Espallargas, graduating with International Mention and Cum Laude distinction. His doctoral work pioneered new solvent-free synthetic strategies for meltable MOFs and led to the first glasses derived from several transition-metal frameworks.
His current research combines synthetic chemistry with neutron scattering, synchrotron techniques, and computational modelling to investigate frustrated magnetism, quantum materials, and magnetic glasses. A major focus of his work is the development of amorphous magnetic MOFs, including the first phase-pure iron-based MOF glass, providing a new platform for exploring magnetism in structurally disordered materials.
Luis has carried out experiments at major international large-scale facilities, including the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, the Institut Laue–Langevin, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Diamond Light Source, and ALBA Synchrotron. His work has been recognised through several national and international awards, including the MOF2024 Early Career Award, and he has been invited to present his research at leading international conferences and institutions.
Beyond research, Luis is interested in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations spanning chemistry, materials science, and condensed matter physics. He is particularly motivated by developing new classes of multifunctional materials that combine structural complexity with emergent physical properties.
Select publications
- Direct Synthesis of an Iron Metal-Organic Framework Antiferromagnetic Glass. L. León-Alcaide, L. Martínez-Goyeneche, M. Sessolo, B. Vieira, J. Waerenborgh, J. Rodríguez-Velamazán, O. Fabelo, M. Cliffe, D. Keen, G. Mínguez Espallargas. Nat. Commun. 2025, 12, 8783. Selected paper for the Annual Report (2025) highlights of the ILL.
- Melt-Quenched Synthesis of a Manganese ZIF Glass. L. León-Alcaide, A. Fernández-Alarcón, J. Calbo, D. A. Keen, G. Mínguez Espallargas. Chem. Commun. 2025, 61, 11641 – 11644.
- Solvent-Free Approach for the Synthesis of Fe–Zn-ZIF Glass Via a Melt-Quenched Process. L. León-Alcaide, C. Castillo-Blas, V. Martin-Diaconescu, I. Da Silva, D. A. Keen, T. D. Bennett, G. Mínguez Espallargas. Chem. Sci. 2025, 16, 7946 – 7955.
- Structural and Interfacial Characterization of a Photocatalytic Titanium MOF-Phosphate Glass Composite. C. Castillo‐Blas, M. J. García, A. M. Chester, M. Mazaj, S. Guan, G. P. Robertson, A. Kono, J. M. A. Steele, L. León‐Alcaide, B. Poletto‐Rodrigues, P. A. Chater, S. Cabrera, A. Krajnc, L. Wondraczek, D. A. Keen, J. Alemán, T. D. Bennett. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 2025, 17, 15793–15803.
- Observation of a Reversible Order‐Order Transition in a Metal‐Organic Framework–Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite Phase‐Change Material. V. Nozari, A. N. Vesali, R. Sajzew, C. Castillo, A. Kono, M. Oschatz, D. A. Keen, P. A. Chater, G. P. Robertson, J. M. A. Steele, L. León‐Alcaide, A. Knebel, C. W. Ashling, T. D. Bennett, L. Wondraczek
Small. 2024, 20, 2303315. - Implementing Mesoporosity in Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks through Clip-Off Chemistry in Heterometallic Iron-Zinc ZIF-8. L. León-Alcaide, J. López-Cabrelles, María Esteve-Rochina, Enrique Ortí, J. Calbo, Bas A. H. Huisman, M. Sessolo, J. C. Warenborgh, B. J. C. Vieira, G. Mínguez Espallargas. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 23249 – 23256.
- Meltable, Glass-Forming, Iron Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework. L. León-Alcaide, R. S. Christensen, D. A. Keen, J. L. Jordá, I. Brotons-Acázar, A. Forment-Aliaga, G. Mínguez Espallargas. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 11258 – 11264.
- 2D Magnetic MOFs with Micron-Lateral Size by Liquid Exfoliation. L. León-Alcaide, J. López-Cabrelles, E. Coronado, G. Mínguez Espallargas. Chem. Comm. 2020, 56, 7657 – 7660.
Select awards
- MOF2024 Early Career Award (2024)
- First Prize for Doctoral Thesis, Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) – Valencia Section (2025)
- II Catalina Ruiz Pérez Doctoral Thesis Award (GE3C, 2025)
Further links
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1667-0618
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=es&user=Vn7EYvcAAAAJ
