Inorganic Materials Chemistry

A funded PhD position is available in the field of inorganic material chemistry exploring the development of new ferroelectric materials based on molecular building blocks. Such hybrid materials, including metal-organic frameworks, combine inorganic and organic building blocks into extended solids and have been recently shown to exhibit functional electronic properties comparable to the best functional solids promising future uses in sensing, data storage and energy harvesting applications. This is facilitated by their tremendous compositional flexibility, leading to unique architectures that enable new routes to optimised functional properties. This project will explore the smart design of optimised ferroelectric hybrids with potential uses in sensing, data storage and energy harvesting. This will be achieved by establishing rules for optimising both their supramolecular host-guest interactions and structural distortions, key to their functional properties. This project will involve the synthesis of hybrid inorganic-organic materials, their structural characterisation using powder and single crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction and electronic and magnetic property measurements. Full training will be provided in all aspects to enable you to build a deep knowledge of both ferroelectric hybrid materials and the use of synthetic and analytical techniques used to make and characterise them. The project will also involve collaboration with other UK research groups with expertise in these areas and research at central facilities, such as the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. This will enable you to experience working within a network of world-leading scientists.