Projects focus on the use of electron microscopy (scanning and transmission) and associated techniques (e.g. energy dispersive X-ray analysis and electron diffraction) to probe the structure, morphology, composition and crystallography of materials. Current studies include the analysis of biological minerals and the synthesis and characterization of novel polymer-inorganic hybrid materials.

Biominerals

This project involves the study of biominerals such as the calcitic skeleton of the marine alga shown below. By understanding how organisms control the crystallization and assembly process we hope to be able to apply similar concepts to the synthesis of new materials.

Templated Assembly of Nanoparticles

Various polymer templates, both synthetic and biological, are being used as structural scaffolds to control the deposition of colloidal inorganic ‘building blocks’. For example, sponge-like polymer gels can be loaded with magnetic, ceramic or semiconducting nanoparticles to produce monolithic hybrid materials. Subsequent removal of the organic template by heating produces highly porous inorganic replicas such as the titania material shown below.References:

J Struct Biol 1999, 126, 195; Chem Mater 1998, 10, 2516; Nature 1997, 385, 420.