MCL Research

Materials discovery

At MCL, we design methodologies to achieve uniform active species on a material’s surface. Exchangeable ligands can control the electronic structure of specific single-site metals.

The oxide surface is used to stabilize single-site and to achieve the desired coordination environment. This image shows a possible coordination for a single copper site on a ceria surface, which was later used as a catalyst.

Reaction Engineering

We search for new reaction and process for transformation of natural gas and biomass. We are interested in C1 chemistry, in particular methane activation. Our research extends into energy storage systems such as solid state batteries, in search of a replacement for Li.

Operando spectroscopy

We apply a range of operando characterization techniques to understand active site behaviours and reaction mechanisms. Our group has experts in EPR, XAFS and a range of characterisation techniques (chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy and others) available at UCL’s world-class research facilities.