Catalysis in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute
The School of Chemistry has particular strengths in Heterogeneous Catalysis, Homogeneous Catalysis and Surface Science, including the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) dedicated to this exciting area of study. We are the largest academic grouping in catalysis research in the UK.
Catalysis lies at the heart of many chemical processes, from the academic research lab through living systems to applications in industrial large-scale reactors. By understanding and careful use of catalysis many processes can be made faster, cleaner, and more sustainable.
Our research in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute addresses the big challenges now facing society and it is providing innovative solutions, some key areas we impact are:
- the provision of clean water by controlling and destroying pollutants
- protecting the atmosphere and providing clean air
- using existing resources more efficiently and allowing use of new sustainable resources
- developing low- and zero-carbon fuels
- enabling sustainable food production
- developing catalysis for global healthcare
The Cardiff Catalysis Institute is now based in the new Translational Research Hub where our focus is on working closely with industry to ensure that the catalytic solutions that we discover or invent will be scaled up and developed into commercial technologies. Our research students often have opportunities to have placements with industry partners.
Contacts
Administrative contact(s)
Dr Ben Ward
Administrative contact
We are recognised for our internationally-leading research, which focuses on many of the world’s most challenging problems. Catalysis is a key technology for developing solutions and our research delivers impact for society and industry. Our research strengths include:
- Catalysis for sustainability
- Environmental catalysis
- Catalyst discovery
- Catalyst synthesis
- Catalytic reaction mechanisms
- Photocatalysis
- Biocatalysis
- Electrocatalysis
- Theory and modelling
Our current projects include: developing catalysis for global healthcare; securing clean water by controlling and destroying pollutants; reducing emissions to protect the atmosphere and provide clean air; using existing resources more efficiently and using new sustainable resources; developing low- and zero-carbon fuels from carbon dioxide; and, developing new technology to enable sustainable food production.
We are based in the flagship £110m Translational Research Hub (TRH), housing purpose-built, state-of-the-art catalysis research facilities, dedicated to catalyst preparation, characterisation, and testing.
Our microscopy wing houses a new, world-leading aberration-corrected AC STEM with in situ functionality along with a range of other microscopes, while our laboratories have an extensive range of analytical techniques focused on understanding catalysts.
A suite of autoclave and liquid-phase reactors, numerous continuous flow gas phase microreactors and a multifunctional 32-bed gas phase high-throughput catalyst testing facility provide measurements of catalyst performance.
Many of our projects are in collaboration with external partners, including UK and international universities and research institutes which provides opportunities for exchange. We also collaborate extensively with industry, for example, with Johnson Matthey, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, BASF and Topsoe.
Academics working in this area include:
- Dr Jonathan Bartley
- Professor Richard Catlow
- Professor Philip Davies
- Dr Jennifer Edwards
- Dr Andrea Folli
- Professor Graham Hutchings
- Dr Andrew Logsdail
- Dr Sankar Meenakshisundaram
- Professor Rebecca Melen
- Professor Damien Murphy
- Professor Marc Pera-Titus
- Dr Alberto Roldan Martinez
- Dr Thomas Slater
- Professor Stuart Taylor
- Professor Duncan Wass
- Professor David Willock
Projects
We welcome applications for our supervised self-funded research projects. Please be aware that you will need funding secured in order to apply, and this could be from external sponsors, student loans or self-funding.
We also have a range of research projects with external funding. Please check you meet any specific funding eligibility criteria before applying.
You are welcome to contact the academics directly for an informal chat, or further information.
All applications should be made via the Cardiff University application service.
Funding
You can search our studentships or find out more about funding.
Tuition fees
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
Programme information
For programme structure, entry requirements and how to apply, visit the Chemistry programme.
View programme
