Research Interests
The work carried out within our research group is centred on the synthesis and characterisation of new solid materials with particular focus on structural and catalytic studies of supported catalysts. A major aspect of this work is at the interface between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and involves the heterogenisation of inorganic and organometallic catalysts through the encapsulation (supporting) of catalytic species within a range of solid host matrices including hydrotalcite clays, and mesoporous and microporous materials. Of particular interest is the supporting of chiral species for asymmetric catalysis. Other aspects of our research involve more fundamental studies into the synthesis and structure of new porous frameworks (zeotypes, mesoporous solids) and organic-inorganic hybrid materials (pillared phosphonates, functionalised organosiloxane polymers), and the development of hydrotalcite-like materials as precursors to high surface area metal and metal oxide catalysts.