Catalysis in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute Cardiff University

Overview

Catalysis lies at the heart of many chemical processes, from the academic research lab through living systems to applications in industrial large-scale reactors. By understanding and careful use of catalysis many processes can be made faster, cleaner, and more sustainable. The Phd programme of  Catalysis in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute delivered by Cardiff University .

Key facts

We are recognised for our internationally-leading research, which focuses on many of the world’s most challenging problems. Catalysis is a key technology for developing solutions and our research delivers impact for society and industry. Our research strengths include:

• Catalysis for sustainability

• Environmental catalysis

• Catalyst discovery

• Catalyst synthesis

• Catalytic reaction mechanisms

• Photocatalysis

• Biocatalysis

• Electrocatalysis

• Theory and modelling

Our current projects include: developing catalysis for global healthcare; securing clean water by controlling and destroying pollutants; reducing emissions to protect the atmosphere and provide clean air; using existing resources more efficiently and using new sustainable resources; developing low- and zero-carbon fuels from carbon dioxide; and, developing new technology to enable sustainable food production.

We are based in the flagship £110m Translational Research Hub (TRH), housing purpose-built, state-of-the-art catalysis research facilities, dedicated to catalyst preparation, characterisation, and testing.

Our microscopy wing houses a new, world-leading aberration-corrected AC STEM with in situ functionality along with a range of other microscopes, while our laboratories have an extensive range of analytical techniques focused on understanding catalysts.

A suite of autoclave and liquid-phase reactors, numerous continuous flow gas phase microreactors and a multifunctional 32-bed gas phase high-throughput catalyst testing facility provide measurements of catalyst performance.

Many of our projects are in collaboration with external partners, including UK and international universities and research institutes which provides opportunities for exchange. We also collaborate extensively with industry, for example, with Johnson Matthey, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, BASF and Topsoe.