Birchall Centre

Dr Richard Darton

Materials chemistry with a specific focus on understanding the relationships between synthesis, structure and applications of a wide-range of functional inorganic and inorganic-organic hybrid materials. In particular the hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of porous materials such as zeolites and metal-organic frameworks for use in catalysis, sensors and for gas storage. To fully understand these types of materials and their synthesis mechanisms, a wide range of characterization techniques is employed including solid state NMR, and both X-ray and neutron diffraction.

Organic/inorganic porous materials, their synthesis and characterisation on several length scales. The aims are to (i) design novel functional porous materials (ii) investigate host-guest interactions within the pores, (iii) understand how diatom skeletons are formed under biological conditions.

The impact of aluminium upon life on earth. In particular the interaction of aluminium with silicic acid to form hydroxyaluminosilicates and the importance of this interaction in keeping aluminium out of life.
Other areas of interest include biosilicification and the biological availability of aluminium, with particular relevance to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Dr Katherine Haxton

The interactions between metal ions and dendrimers or hyperbranched polymers.  These systems are useful for environmental applications such as the remediation of heavy metal pollution from ground water, or medicinal applications such as the use of biodegradable polymers to deliver organometallic anticancer drugs such as cisplatin. Particularly the synthesis of new dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cores, a cubic molecule with corner silicon atoms and bridging oxygen atoms.  8 branches can be attached to such cores lead to a higher density of terminal and internal ligand groups in fewer reactive steps which is economical both in terms of time and reagents.

Prof. Peter Haycock

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition.

Prof Jim Howell

Development of replacements derived from renewable and sustainable natural resources for the manufacture of chemicals and materials to replace finite petroleum oil reserves.
Alternative technology to decorate ceramic ware based on laser deposition, developed in collaboration with the pottery industry to replace labour intensive manual operation with an automated process operated as a solventless procedure, thus eliminating pollution.
Computational studies of industrially important organic reactions which are catalysed by transition metals.

Dr Rob Jackson

Computer modelling of inorganic materials, especially mixed metal fluorides and oxides doped with transition metal and rare earth elements, for use in optical and electronic devices where modelling can be used to screen host-dopant combinations effective for given applications.

Computer modelling of doped minerals (e.g. zircon, ZrSiO4), where the location of dopants and their effect on the structure is important in dating rocks containing such minerals.

Dr Richard Jones

The use of structural techniques to probe the properties of compounds, which are of importance in inorganic and materials chemistry. The investigative techniques are mainly diffraction-based, using both single crystal and powder methods.

Prof Mark Ormerod

Clean and renewable energy technology and the environment, with a particular expertise in fuel cells, heterogeneous environmental catalysis, pollution abatement, clean hydrocarbon conversion, utilisation of renewable biomass and animal and vegetable waste, the development of novel and more tolerant catalysts, catalyst characterisation, and the application of spectroscopic and analytical techniques in environmental and materials chemistry.

Dr Frank Rutten

The detailed chemical characterisation of surfaces through advanced analytical techniques including ToF-SIMS, vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), XPS, FIB/SEM and a new technique still under development termed PADI-MS (plasma-assisted desorption-ionisation mass spectrometry).

Subjects of interest vary from archaeological and museum objects to biomaterials, organic LED constructs and ionic liquids with potential data storage applications.

Dr Vladimir Zholobenko

Catalysis by zeolites and mesoporous materials and spectroscopic methods of characterising these materials and