Research Highlights
Events and Media
Upcoming PhD Defences
- Hanneke Siebe – 16.15, 4th July 2023
Molecular modified surfaces is a long standing research line in the group and our latest contribution is a review focusing on the challenges that are faced in characterising molecualrly modified surfaces after preparation and importantly when used/in function. Molecular Switching on surfaces
Steen, J.D., Duijnstee, D.R., Browne W.R., Surface Science Reports, 2023 in press
Mechanisms in Homogeneous Oxidation Catalysis
The latest contribution from our research line on oxidation catalysis is from Hans Kasper (one of our latest PhD graduates) and Pattama Saisaha (one of the first PhDs fromt he group). In this report we delve deep into the mechanisms by which a simple manganese catalyst can use hydrigen peroxide to oxidise organic substrates selectively. The catalyst is so effective we can't see it so the team used a combination of physical organic methods and tools to prize open the mechanism together with colleagues at the University of Girona in the group of Miquel Costas.
J B. Kasper, P. Saisaha, M. de Roo, M. J. Groen, L. Vicens, M. Borrell, J. W. de Boer, R. Hage, M. Costas and W R. Browne A Common Active Intermediate in the Oxidation of Alkenes, Alcohols and Alkanes with H2O2 and a Mn(II)/Pyridin-2-Carboxylato catalyst, ChemCatChem, 2023, in press
The development of next generation protective coatings based on alkene resins is a joint project (ARC-CBBC) with AkzoNobel. The team led by Linda and Andy took a deep dive into the mechansims involved in curing with cobalt catalysts to work out why cobalt soaps are the perfect catalysts with time resolved FTIR, Raman and EPR Spectroscopy. The next step is to find effective replacements for the cobalt catalysts.
In situ EPR and Raman spectroscopy in the curing of bis-methacrylate-styrene resins
Eijsink, L. E, Sardjan, A. S., Sinnema, E. G, den Besten, H, van Den Berg, K. J., Flapper, J., Van Gemert, R., Feringa, B.L., Browne, W. R. In: RSC Advances 2022, 12, 2537-2548.
Time evolution of EPR spectra during heating of a room temperature cured resin
Multiple colour patterns in a coating controlled by one wavelength of light
Ruben lead this project in using a multilayer photochrome doped coating that can change colour over any range required for an application. The approach makes use of the primary inner filter effect and multiple layers of polymer each containing a different photochrome. The approach means that only one wavelength of UV light is needed to make a wide range of colours.
Single wavelength colour tuning of spiropyran and dithienylethene based photochromic coatings
Feringa, R., Siebe, H. S., Klement, W. J. N., Steen, J. D., Browne, W. R., Materials Advances. 3, 1, 282-289
Electrochemically driven ring opening and closing of spiropyrans
In this project the latest results in the electrochemical switching line are reported. Jorn and colleagues together with the Jacquemin group developed a fully electrochemically driven ring opening and closing spiropyran.
Electrochemical Ring-Opening and -Closing of a Spiropyran Steen, J. D., Duijnstee, D. R., Sardjan, A. S., Martinelli, J., Kortekaas, L., Jacquemin, D. & Browne, W. R., J. Phys. Chem.. A 2021, 125, 16, 3355–3361