Materials research within the department of Chemistry
Materials research covers a wealth of areas at the cutting edge of current chemical interest, and utilises a diverse range of compounds applied in all sorts of scenarios. Thus we are actively involved in work employing nanotechnology, polymers, catalysts, pigments, and many other types of functional systems, all possessing key properties. In the course of this work we have forged strong links with other departments at Loughborough (including the Materials Research School), other universities, industrial companies, government organisations and major funding bodies. Further general information on activities within this Group can be obtained by contacting the Group Leader, Dr Martin Smith.
With respect to the recent announcement of University studentships, we have a large range of potential projects on offer. A selection of these are listed below. Before reading them please bear in mind a few points:
- This list is not absolutely definitive and if you have an interest in the work of an individual member of staff here at Loughborough then please feel free to contact them directly.
- Further information on the work of the member of staff associated with each project can be obtained from the links to individual's home pages. Specific information on the projects in question can be obtained from the staff member in question by email request or phone. Please remember, though, that for things to progress a general application form must be filled in and this can be obtained by contacting Dr George Weaver. Remember also that this current initiative is competitive, and funding for projects is not guaranteed; note also such funding is limited to UK/EU students only.
- Often the projects listed are actually collaborative ventures involving a number of members of staff from Chemistry and, in some cases, other departments at Loughborough. In addition, in some cases the work will span more than one of our Research Groups, and has been placed within “Materials” as this is maybe the primary focus. The staff member mentioned is, though, the best port of call for preliminary enquiries.
Potential PhD projects include:
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SAMPL: Surface-Attached Modular Polymer bound Ligands for Radiouclide sequestration
We are preparing new, bespoke polymers for the decontamination of nuclear waste and contaminated ground water.
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Homogenous Catalysts for the Controlled Synthesis of Unique Polymers
This multidisciplinary project will address the synthesis of new well-defined catalyst materials for the preparation of novel polymers with unusual architectures.
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Convenient access to natural product scaffolds and novel chemical space.
Ruthenium catalysed metathesis will be used to synthesise hitherto unaccessed natural product like scaffolds conveniently and efficiently.
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Novel applications of the polymerisation of S2N2
This project will investigate new applications for this polymerisation process, including the generation of molecular wires within zeolite frameworks and the formation of new pigment materials (in collaboration with Sandie Dann).
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Synthesis of Fluorinated Heterocycles
This project will involve the use of SNAr reactions of perfluoroaromatic compounds to develop new annelation methods to form highly functionalised heterocycles.
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Co-crystals, Salts and Complexes; Crystal Engineering of Organic and Organometallic Species via Covalent and Supramolecular Interactions.
This project will involve training in synthesis, crystallisation and compound characterisation via a variety of techniques, but foremost X-ray diffraction. Use of hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and other supramolecular interactions in the design of 0, 1, 2 & 3D architectures; some with potential as gas storage or organic electronic materials. Collaboration with groups in the UK and Japan may provide the opportunity for travel during the course of the project.
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Synthesis and use of polymeric ladder metal complexes in organic synthesis
We have recently reported the synthesis, use and mechanistic implications of Copper phenyl acetylide in the highly topical triazole click reaction (see for example, Chem. Commun. 2010, 46, 2274 & Chem. Eur. J. 2010, DOI: 10.1002/chem.201000447). This collaborative venture (with Ben Buckley and Harry Heaney) between Organic/Inorganic chemists is now at a point to investigate fully the structural features of the relatively unexplored chemistry of metal acetylides and exploit these initial findings. This will be achieved by application of these novel polymeric materials as catalysts in a range of industrially important organic reactions.
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The effect of particle-particle interactions on dosing rates in inhaled drug formulations
This project will investigate the effect of the morphology and surface properties on the interaction between drugs and carrier particles in inhalable drug treatment e.g. asthma and chronic respiratory disease.
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A New Paradigm in Chrial Recognition and Asymmetric Catalysis
An innovative catalyst scaffold has recently been developed in the group (see for a related example, J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 3042) and this collaborative project (with Marc Kimber) will capitalize on these initial findings towards the development of systems for chiral recognition and asymmetric catalysis.
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Electrophoretic deposition of ceramic oxide nanoparticles for the catalytic oxidation of carbohydrates
Electrocatalytic nanoparticles will be investigated for the determination of sugars, a topic of relevance in both the food industry and in medical applications.
Novel electrochromic structures will be investigated, with display applications in optical information and storage, to include 'e-paper'.
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Carbazole-Fluoroarene Hybrids: Synthesis, Polymerisation, Electrochemistry and Applications
In this collaborative project (also involving George Weaver) novel conjugated polycarbazole materials will be synthesised and their physical and optical properties determined for their potential in device applications including light emitting diodes and transistors.
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