Chemistry for Sustainability

Durham chemistry works to provide alternative carbon feedstocks to current petrochemical sources, develop new catalysts for efficient chemical conversions using non-toxic, earth-abundant and geo-politically stable resources, deliver new energy production methods and energy storage vectors, in addressing environmental pollution, provide the commodities expected by developed and developing societies, and help feed the world’s population through agritech and aquaculture advances

Research Section Members

Prof Phil Dyer (Head of Section)

Research Areas: Organophosphorus chemistry, Organometallic chemistry, Homogeneous catalysis, Heterogeneous catalysis, Biomass transformations

Dr Simon Beaumont

Research Areas: Heterogeneous catalysis, In situ spectroscopy of catalysts and materials, Nanomaterials synthesis, Emissions abatement

Dr Will Brittain

Research Areas: Fluorine Chemistry, Sustainable Catalysis, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry

Prof Jas Pal Badyal

Research Areas: Antimicrobial surfaces, Water purification, Liquid repellent surfaces, Battery membranes, Electric synthesis of commodity chemicals

Prof Ian Baxendale

Organic synthesis (natural products, heterocyclic and medicinal chemistry), Organometallic chemistry, Catalyst design and application, Meso flow chemistry, Microfluidics,

Prof Ivana Evans

Research Areas: Solid state materials chemistry, Energy materials, Luminescent materials, Cultural heritage science, Methods and expertise

Prof John Evans

Research Areas: Solid state materials chemistry, Energy materials, New materials, World leader in powder diffraction methods and development

Dr Mark Fox

Research Areas: Carborane chemistry, Redox chemistry, Emission measurements, Spectroelectrochemistry, Hybrid DFT predictions

Dr Allegra Franchino

Research Areas: Methods in organic chemistry, Enantioselective catalysis, Homogeneous metal catalysis, Organocatalysis, Mechanistic studies

Dr Karen Johnston

Research Areas: Solid-state chemistry, Characterisation, Batteries, Solid electrolytes for batteries, All-solid-state batteries, Li-ion mobility

Dr Matt Kitching

Research Areas: Synthetic Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry & Functional Molecules, Chemical Patterning, Soft Materials, and Interface

Prof AnnMarie O'Donoghue

Research Areas: Physical Organic Chemistry, Organocatalysis (homogeneous), Biocatalysis, Stable Organic Radicals

Dr Russell Taylor

Research Areas: Alkane activation and functionalisation, Bio-platform molecule upgrading, Monomers for biodegradable polymers, Chemical waste remediation

Dr Richard Thompson

Research Areas: Soft Matter Chemistry, Surface and Interface Science, Polymers in Coatings and Films, Rheology and Scattering