Centre for Nanoporous Materials
Schools of Chemistry and CEAS 
Research Interests

Synthesis and Application of Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

The production of zeolite membranes requires extremely thin, continuous, films of crystalline zeolite to be synthesised. I have developed a novel technique for the growth of coherent zeolite films on metal and inorganic surfaces and the membranes produced using this technique are utilised in a range of size and chemically selective separations. The development of an ion-exchange/filtration material based on diatomaceous earth is an on-going research project which has potential applications in waste water treatment, removing both particulate and ionic, heavy metal, impurities.

Electrochemistry

I have interests in the restriction of transport of ions across liquid-liquid interfaces using microporous films. Also in this area, work is being carried out on zeolitisation of electrodes to allow shape selective REDOX reactions and a novel method for the tailored ion-exchange of species into zeolite frameworks. Further on-going research into the synthesis of innovative microporous structures has led to research into novel materials for fuel cell applications and the production of ultra-high surface area catalysts.

Current Projects:

  • Nano-scale electrified interfaces
  • Ion selective sensors
  • Novel fuel cell catalysts
  • Multi-functional materials for separation processes
  • Synthesis and applications of zeolite membranes
  • Zeolitisation of diatoms and diatomaceous earth