Dr Robert Menzel

Research interests

• Inorganic Nanomaterials (graphene, CNT, metal oxides, clays)
• Aerogels and Hybrid Materials
• Chemical Modification of Materials
• Materials Characterisation
• Adsorption Applications
• 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, surface area measuerements, 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

Current postgraduate researchers

• Rachel Bocking
• Tom Moore