Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
Stuart Taylor

Yr Athro Stuart Taylor

Athro Cemeg Ffisegol a Dirprwy Gyfarwyddwr y Sefydliad Catalysis Caerdydd

Ysgol Cemeg

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Research Group: Physical Chemistry

Research Interests

My research area is heterogeneous catalysis, and I have a number of major research themes of interest. These can be summarised:

  • Investigation of metal oxide and precious-metal-based catalysts for the oxidative destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for environmental protection.
  • Mixed metal oxide and supported metal catalysts for low temperature carbon monoxide oxidation for life-support and environmental applications.
  • Development of new catalysts for selective oxidation reactions, focussing on utilisation of short-chain alkanes, oxygenated compounds, aromatics and bio-renewables.
  • Improved methodologies for preparing catalysts, including novel processes such as supercritical methods for preparing high activity and greener catalysts.
  • Characterisation of catalysts using a wide range of analytical techniques and in situ methodologies.

For more information, click on the 'Research' tab above.

Teaching

CH3104 Introduction to the Solid State and Applications of Spectroscopy

CH2118 Energy Resources and Materials

CH3202 Applications of Molecular Spectroscopy

CH3217 Biomolecular Chemistry

CH2310 Catalysis and Electrocatalysis

CH3408 Modern Catalytic Processes

CHT219  Preparation and Evaluation of Heterogeneous Catalysts

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Patents

Ymchwil

  • The development of heterogeneous catalysts for environmental protection. Examples include the development of nanocrystalline metal oxide and supported metal catalysts for the oxidative destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and ambient temperature carbon monoxide oxidation for life support applications.
  • The investigation of heterogeneous catalysts for selective oxidation under mild conditions, focusing on short chain alkanes (C1-C3), functionalised hydrocarbons, aromatics/polyaromatics and sustainable bio-renewable feedstocks.
  • Catalyst preparation, including novel methods such as supercritical antisolvent precipitation, and the relationship between methods of catalyst synthesis, solid state structure/properties, activity and mechanism.
  • Other current heterogeneous catalysis research interests include Fischer Tropsch synthesis, aromatization, applications of colloids as recoverable catalysts, use of novel catalyst supports and solid acid catalysts for fine chemical synthesis.
Representation of a VOC molecule binding to a catalyst surface.

Some recent examples of environmental catalysis have focussed on the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the atmosphere. Atmospheric VOCs, released from a wide variety of sources, have received considerable attention, since they have been implicated in ozone depletion and formation of photochemical smog. We have shown that the activity of supported palladium and platinum-based catalysts can be significantly enhanced for the destruction of a range of VOCs, by modification with component such as vanadium and niobium. High activity nanocrystalline metal oxides have been identified for the oxidation of alkane and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There are very few studies of the oxidation of PAHs and they can be particularly difficult to oxidise totally, and hence the identification of high activity catalysts is a significant discovery. Understanding the role of catalysts in total oxidation has also helped with the development of effective catalysts for selective oxidation.

  Scanning electron micrograph of a niobium phosphate catalyst for the selective oxidation of ethane and of a nanocrystalline ceria catalyst prepared by precipitation with urea.

Bywgraffiad

Professor Stuart Taylor obtained his BSc Hons in Chemistry from Brunel University in 1991 during this time he also completed 18 months of industrial placements with ExxonMobil, ICI and Shell. He moved to the University of Liverpool to study for his PhD at the Leverhulme Centre for Innovative Catalysis, focussing on the direct selective oxidation of methane to methanol, funded by the Gas Research Institute, Chicago. After obtaining his PhD he remained in Liverpool, first as apostdoc and latter as a Principal Scientist funded by BNFL. He was appointed to Cardiff University in October 1997, promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2007 and Reader in 2010. His research is based around heterogeneous catalysis, with a focus on oxidation, both for environmental applications and chemical production. He collaborates widely nationally and internationally with a number of research groups and research institutes. He also interacts extensively with industry; some examples of recent and current partners are ExxonMobil, Dow, Johnson Matthey, Jaguar Land Rover, Invista, General Motors, Sabic, Henkel and Sasol.