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