Skip to main content

Catalysis in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute

The School of Chemistry has developed a particular strength in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Surface Science, with a research institute dedicated to this exciting area of study. As part of the Chemistry (PhD/MPhil) programme, students can conduct their research within this institute.

Catalysis lies at the heart of many chemical processes, from the academic research lab through living systems to the industrial large-scale reactor. By understanding and careful use of catalysis many processes can be made faster, cleaner and more sustainable.

Our research in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) addresses the big challenges now facing science:

  1. the provision of clean water by controlling and destroying pollutants
  2. protecting the atmosphere
  3. using existing resources more efficiently
  4. developing low- and zero-carbon fuels
  5. enabling sustainable food production.

We work closely with industry to ensure that the catalytic solutions that we discover or invent will be scaled-up and developed into commercial technologies.

Distinctive features

  • We are the largest research grouping in catalysis in the UK
  • Our research activities cover most areas of catalysis
  • We are one of the founder members of the UK Catalysis Hub.

Contacts

Administrative contact(s)

Dr Ben Ward

Administrative contact

Particular research strengths include:

  • Gold catalysis
  • Environmental catalysis
  • Photocatalysis
  • Biocatalysis
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Catalyst discovery
  • Catalyst synthesis
  • Catalytic reaction mechanisms
  • Theory and modelling.

Distinguished Faculty

Professor GJ Hutchings, FRS, CCI director, is a pre-eminent authority on heterogeneous catalysis, with a global reputation for the innovative catalytic use of gold nano-particles. He holds two of the most prestigious prizes in science - the Thompson Reuters Citation Laureate and the Davy Medal of the Royal Society.

Projects

Each  year the School of Chemistry welcomes applicants who have secured funding from  external sponsors, or who are self-funded.

We have an extensive list of projects that are available. Details for each project can be obtained by  contacting the member of academic staff directly.  Please state which project(s) you would like to be considered for on your application form.

In the first instance, you should submit a CV & Covering Letter to the project supervisor detailing which projects you would like to be considered for.

Formal applications should then be submitted via Cardiff University's Online Application Service. In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project.

In answer to the question ‘How do you plan to fund your studies?’, please specify the details and upload any documents providing the evidence (for example: letter of confirmation of scholarship).

The career prospects for graduates of this programme are excellent. Recent graduates have a gone on to work for a number of well-known international companies including Jaguar Land Rover and Johnson Matthey.

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)

Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.

Programme information

For programme structure, entry requirements and how to apply, visit the Chemistry programme.

View programme
See the range of PhD studentships and projects currently available.

Related courses

Related subjects