Dr Robert Menzel

Profile

Dr Robert Menzel obtained his PhD in carbon nanomaterial chemistry at Imperial College. He has previously worked as PDRA at Imperial College and UCL, and as a scientific consultant at BioNanoConsulting Ltd, working on a wide range of inorganic materials projects. In 2015, he was appointed as University Academic Fellow in Nanotechnology for Catalysis at the University of Leeds. His research is focused on the assembly of inorganic nanoparticles (carbon, metal oxides, clays) into multifunctional porous materials for sustainability-related applications, such as water treatment, CO2 capture and heterogeneous catalysis. His research combines fundamental materials research with a strong drive to support the development of commercial nanomaterial technologies.

Research interests

• Inorganic Nanomaterials (graphene, CNT, metal oxides, clays)
• Aerogels and Hybrid Materials
• Chemical Modification of Materials
• Materials Characterisation
• Sorption Applications (CO2 capture, water treatment)
• Heterogeneous Catalysis, Photocatalysis

My research focus is the materials chemistry of inorganic nanostructures (including carbon nanotubes, graphene, clays and anisotropic metal oxide nanoparticles), and their assembly into 3D networks to create porous materials with enhanced and multiple functionality. I have a strong interest and experience in research at the interface of academia and commerce, combining fundamental research with a strong drive to support commercial nanomaterial development.My research interests include:

• control of microstructure and surface chemistry of nanostructure assemblies (e.g. aerogels, hybrid materials)
• improved understanding of materials properties and function (e.g. structural and chemical characterisation at different length scales, thermo-electrical properties, photocatlytic activity)
• materials characterisation (e.g. electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, tomography, Raman)
• translation into commercially relevant materials applications, e.g. in adsorption (e.g. fuel desulfurisation, CO2 capture) and heterogeneous catalysis (e.g. C-C coupling)

Research groups and institutes

• Crystallisation and Directed Assembly
• Institute for Process Research and Development

Current postgraduate researchers

• Rachel Bocking
• Tom Moore