Carbon Nanotube Chemistry.  The organic chemistry of carbon nanotubes presents us with a new set of challenges, not the least of which is the complete insolubility of these materials.  We have been investigating both classical cylindrical multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as well as a type of nanotube that is composed of a series of stacked cups.  This structure presents a very different surface to the surrounding medium. Cylindical MWNTs present basal plane graphite to the outside, while bamboo MWNTs present graphene edges.  This results in a dramatic shift in reactivity, we are able to exploit these differences to producing some interesting changes in structure.   

Lignin Deconstruction for Renewable Fuels and Feedstocks.  Lignin, the second most common organic molecule on the planet, is potentially a source for large quantities of fuels and chemical feedstocks.  We are working on methodology to reduce the molecular weight of lignin to render it processible by conventional industrial processes.  We validate methods using model compounds, then apply these methods to lignin itself. 

Our research is at the interface of molecular chemistry and materials chemistry, and we collaborate closely with chemists and chemical engineers at the UK  Center for Applied Energy Research.

Organic and Materials Chemistry