Dynamic solid-state phenomena, porous materials, anomalous thermal expansion

 

Research Fields

Supramolecular chemistry, materials science, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry

Research Highlights

• Highly effective new materials for xylene separation
• Methodology development for measuring heats of adsorption directly
• Solvent mediated synthesis of cyclobutane isomers

Research Summary

The primary focus of the Barbour group is to develop the tools to understand counterintuitive behaviour (particularly the dynamics of structural flexibility) of porous materials. In addition to detailed crystal structure analyses, we carry out physico-chemical measurements of the kinetics and thermodynamics of sorption processes. We also actively develop new devices and protocols that we apply routinely to our own research: these include an environmental gas cell for in-situ structural analysis of gas-loaded crystals (by means of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction), and pressure-gradient differential scanning calorimetry.

 

Applications of Research

• Gas and vapour separation
• CO₂ scrubbing
• Thermal actuators