Nanomaterials

There is a great interest in nanomaterials. This is largely due to their fundamentally different characteristics compared to macroscopic systems. 

For example, silicon is an insulator on the macroscopic scale but becomes a conductor at the nanoscale.

Exciting new nanoscale properties have already found use in many areas. New technologies are being developed at an astonishing rate.

Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory

nanoLAB is closely affiliated with the Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory. This is based in the School of Chemistry. 

It has expertise ranging from the synthesis and characterisation of functional nanoscale materials, to their development towards applications. 

Research in the CNL includes:

• DNA-based routes to semiconducting nanomaterials
• dynamic covalent polymer-based nanostructures
• molecular functionalisation of silicon nanoparticles
• photophysics and photochemistry of silicon quantum dots

Nanoscale Science and Nanotechnology group

nanoLAB is also linked with the Nanoscale Science & Nanotechnology group. This is based in the School of . 

Research activities in the group encompass a wide range of themes. This includes the synthesis and characterization of new nanoscale materials, such as:

• nanodiamonds
• silicon nanocrystals
• gold nitride (AuN)
• photon reactions on ice

Our research

We're also involved in other world-class nanomaterials research:

• modelling of the thermal evolution of electrically active defects in silicon and their effects in nanoelectronics
• nanocomposites and nanostructured materials for tribological applications
• synthesis and reactivity of functionalised polyoxometalates as nanoscale building blocks and functional components of molecular assemblies
• combined nanofiltration membrane and catalytic process for removal of organics from wastewater
• using electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering to fabricate novel nanoscale materials