Prof. Duncan H Gregory

Summary

Our interests lie in the synthesis, structure and physical properties of inorganic solids.

The underlying theme in our approach is to identify and modify materials on the basis of their atomic or ionic arrangements. To achieve this in often exotic systems of materials, requires use of original and unusual synthetic methodology.
We are primarily concerned with investigating non-oxide systems where new structure types and bonding arrangements lead to unexpected and exciting properties.

Our aims are to discover new materials with potentially useful physical properties, particularly with projected applications in electronics, information technology and sustainable energy.

Current research areas

The group's current research breaks down into several key areas: Non-oxide materials, hydrogen storage and sutainable energy materials, inorganic nanomaterials and sustainable materials processing. These are outlined briefly below. For more information, follow the hypertext links.

• Non-oxide materials

Our non-oxide research is concentrated in two major areas: (a) Nitrides and Pnictides, (b) Chalcogenides.

In (a) we are primarily interested in a number of low dimensionally structured materials mainly involving the transition metals but also s- and f block elements. Highlights of our work and developments in nitride chemistry are reviewed in ref. 9 and ref. 10.
In (b) our research focuses on low dimensional solids formed with S, Se and Te, transition metals and electropositive elements.

Both these broad groups require innovative synthetic approaches and yield a wealth of intriguing compounds. Potential applications include low dimensional magnets, metals and superconductors, rechargeable batteries, nanomaterials (see below) thermoelectrics and hydrogen stores (see below).

• Hydrogen storage and sustainable energy materials

Work as part of the EPSRC SUPERGEN initiative focuses on the synthesis, characterisation and testing of novel systems for storing hydrogen for use in future power generation (e.g. with fuel cells in automotive applications). This work is performed within the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UKSHEC). Other work under this category includes the synthesis and characterisation of new anode materials for lithium ion batteries and chalcogenide nanomaterials for use as new thermoelectrics. See ref. 1 for a recent article highlighting some aspects of our hydrogen storage work.

• Inorganic nanomaterials

Research in this area focuses chiefly on the synthesis of new nanotubes, -wires and -fibres formed not from carbon but from a range of inorganic materials. We are able to produce nanostructures from both layered (2D) and chain-like (1D) inorganic solids. We can synthesise such materials from varied parts of the periodic table including the s-block, p-block and d-block nitrides, chalcogenides and oxides. Properties (e.g superconductivity, gas storage)can vary markedly with size and morphology. See refs. 4, 5 for recent examples.

• Sustainable Materials Processing

Research here is centered on the utilisation of novel high-powered microwave techniques not only to synthesise and process industrially important materials (such as structural ceramics) but also as a way to access new metastable complex materials that are not attainable via other routes. An important part of this process is our abilty to understand the interaction of microwaves with solids and the way in which microwave driven reactions occur. This is the type of work that can only be performed by bridging cross-disciplinary boundaries and we collaborate extensively with Prof Sam Kingman at Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. See ref. 3 for a recent example.

The Research Group

The solid state group have recently moved into new and completely refurbished laboratories, funded under WestCHEM. The materials laboratories have facilities that cater both for the diverse approach of our synthetic chemistry and for the comprehensive characterisation of structure and properties.

Videos

We have several videos describing and demonstrating some aspects of our work.

Current Positions Available

Postgraduate studentship projects are available within the group.

Please contact me for further details.

Temporary positions and undergraduate projects

A small number of positions on summer vacation projects are regularly available for home-based penultimate-year undergraduates and overseas students. Contact me for further information.

Selected Publications