Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

All Outputs (28)

Utilisation of CO2 as “Structure Modifier” of Inorganic Solids (2021)
Journal Article
Francesconi, M. G., Bennett, M. J., Benoit, D., & Dobson, I. (2022). Utilisation of CO2 as “Structure Modifier” of Inorganic Solids. Chemistry: a European journal, 28(6), Article e202103608. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202103608

Utilisation of CO2 as a chemical reagent is challenging, due to the molecule’s inherent chemical stability. However, CO2 reacts promptly at high temperature (~1000 C) with alkaline-earth oxides to form carbonates and such reactions are used towards... Read More about Utilisation of CO2 as “Structure Modifier” of Inorganic Solids.

Ultra-small FeS2nanoparticles for highly efficient chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes (2021)
Journal Article
Southouse, J. P., Lazzarini, L., Ibhadon, A. O., & Francesconi, M. G. (2021). Ultra-small FeS2nanoparticles for highly efficient chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes. New journal of chemistry = Nouveau journal de chimie, 45(38), 17808-17815. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nj03297f

Ultra-small FeS2nanoparticles were prepared and used as catalysts in a hydrogen transfer reaction for the synthesis of substituted anilines. The catalytic performance is superior to current systems across all reactions, within the timeframe of two ho... Read More about Ultra-small FeS2nanoparticles for highly efficient chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes.

Effect of calcination time on the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance of carbon and nitrogen co-doped tio2 nanoparticles (2020)
Journal Article
Mouele, E. S. M., Dinu, M., Cummings, F., Fatoba, O. O., Myint, M. T. Z., Kyaw, H. H., …Petrik, L. F. (2020). Effect of calcination time on the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance of carbon and nitrogen co-doped tio2 nanoparticles. Catalysts, 10(8), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080847

The application of highly active nano catalysts in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) improves the production of non-selective hydroxyl radicals and co-oxidants for complete remediation of polluted water. This study focused on the synthesis and char... Read More about Effect of calcination time on the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance of carbon and nitrogen co-doped tio2 nanoparticles.

Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2: A novel z-scheme photocatalyst for the degradation of fluoroquinolone levofloxacin from aqueous medium (2020)
Journal Article
Elumalai, S., Sharma, S., Ibhadon, A. O., Grazia Francesconi, M., Mehta, S. K., Kansal, S. K., …Baskoutas, S. (2020). Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2: A novel z-scheme photocatalyst for the degradation of fluoroquinolone levofloxacin from aqueous medium. Nanomaterials, 10(5), Article 910. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050910

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Photocatalytic materials and semiconductors of appropriate structural and morphological architectures as well as energy band gaps are materials needed for mitigating current environmental prob... Read More about Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2: A novel z-scheme photocatalyst for the degradation of fluoroquinolone levofloxacin from aqueous medium.

Stabilization of Pd3−xIn1+x polymorphs with Pd-like crystal structure and their superior performance as catalysts for semi-hydrogenation of alkynes (2019)
Journal Article
Johnston, S. K., Bryant, T. A., Strong, J., Lazzarini, L., Ibhadon, A. O., & Francesconi, M. G. (2019). Stabilization of Pd3−xIn1+x polymorphs with Pd-like crystal structure and their superior performance as catalysts for semi-hydrogenation of alkynes. ChemCatChem, 11(12), 2909-2918. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201900391

Selective hydrogenation (semi-hydrogenation) reactions of alkynes rely on Pd-based catalysts to provide the correct pathway to favour formation of double bonds and avoid full hydrogenation to single bonds. Here, we present the preparation and charact... Read More about Stabilization of Pd3−xIn1+x polymorphs with Pd-like crystal structure and their superior performance as catalysts for semi-hydrogenation of alkynes.

Fluoride doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with increased MRI relaxivity (2018)
Journal Article
Jones, N. E., Burnett, C. A., Salamon, S., Landers, J., Wende, H., Lazzarini, L., …Francesconi, M. G. (2018). Fluoride doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with increased MRI relaxivity. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 6(22), 3665-3673. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8tb00360b

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) are being actively researched and experimented with as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well as image-directed delivery of therapeutics. The efficiency of an MRI contrast agent can be described... Read More about Fluoride doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with increased MRI relaxivity.

Nanoparticulate Pd-Sn Compounds Supported on Metal Oxides: Synthesis, Material and Catalytic Properties (2017)
Journal Article
Ibhadon, A. O., Francesconi, M. G., & Johnston, S. K. (2017). Nanoparticulate Pd-Sn Compounds Supported on Metal Oxides: Synthesis, Material and Catalytic Properties. Chemical Engineering & Process Techniques, 3(3), Article 1044

The manufacture of chemicals requires innovation at the catalyst frontier so that processes can be developed with higher energy efficiency and increased facility of separation and recovery of products. Catalysts with high selectivity and activity con... Read More about Nanoparticulate Pd-Sn Compounds Supported on Metal Oxides: Synthesis, Material and Catalytic Properties.

Synthesis and antibacterial effects of cobalt–cellulose magnetic nanocomposites (2017)
Journal Article
Kelly, S., Kornherr, A., Alahmadi, N. S., Betts, J. W., Francesconi, M. G., Prior, T. J., …Kornherr, A. (2017). Synthesis and antibacterial effects of cobalt–cellulose magnetic nanocomposites. RSC advances, 7(32), 20020-20026. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ra00920h

© The Royal Society of Chemistry. Green synthesis is employed to prepare cobalt/cellulose nanocomposites with cubic (α-cobalt) cobalt as a main component with antibacterial and magnetic properties. An in situ reduction of aqueous solutions of cobalt... Read More about Synthesis and antibacterial effects of cobalt–cellulose magnetic nanocomposites.

Doping of inorganic materials in microreactors – preparation of Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (2015)
Journal Article
Simmons, M. D., Jones, N., Evans, D. J., Wiles, C., Watts, P., Salamon, S., …Francesconi, M. G. (2015). Doping of inorganic materials in microreactors – preparation of Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Lab on a chip, 15(15), 3154-3162. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5lc00287g

Microreactor systems are now used more and more for the continuous production of metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles owing to the controllability of the particle size, an important property in many applications. Here, for the first time... Read More about Doping of inorganic materials in microreactors – preparation of Zn doped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles.

The preparation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in microreactors (2013)
Journal Article
Simmons, M., Wiles, C., Rocher, V., Francesconi, M. G., & Watts, P. (2013). The preparation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in microreactors. Journal of flow chemistry, 3(1), 7-10. https://doi.org/10.1556/JFC-D-12-00024

The preparation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles within microreactors is reported. The proportion of γ-Fe2O3 and Fe 3O4 in the sample was determined, an important parameter for reproducibility in applications. © 2013 Akadémiai Kiadó.

Modification of the anion sublattice in metal nitrides (2013)
Journal Article
Prior, T., Headspith, D. A., & Francesconi, M. G. (2013). Modification of the anion sublattice in metal nitrides. Coordination chemistry reviews, 257(13-14), 1970-1977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2013.01.033

The main goal of solid-state chemistry is the synthesis and characterisation of new compounds with technologically exploitable properties. To this aim, one established chemical route is the modification of known inorganic materials, in most cases oxi... Read More about Modification of the anion sublattice in metal nitrides.

Using high pressure to prepare polymorphs of the Ba2Co1-xZnxS3(0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) compounds (2011)
Journal Article
Mezzadri, F., Gilioli, E., Calestani, G., Migliori, A., Harrison, M. R., Headspith, D. A., & Francesconi, M. G. (2012). Using high pressure to prepare polymorphs of the Ba2Co1-xZnxS3(0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) compounds. Inorganic chemistry, 51(1), 397-404. https://doi.org/10.1021/ic201773e

In this work, high pressure was used as a tool to induce structural transition and prepare metastable polymorphs of ternary sulfides. Structural transformations under high pressure of compounds belonging to the Ba 2 Co 1-x Zn x S 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) seri... Read More about Using high pressure to prepare polymorphs of the Ba2Co1-xZnxS3(0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) compounds.

Preparation, structural characterization, and thermal ammonolysis of two novel dimeric transition silylamide complexes (2011)
Journal Article
Cheng, F., Hope, C. N., Archibald, S. J., Bradley, J. S., Clark, S., Francesconi, M. G., …Lefebvre, F. (2011). Preparation, structural characterization, and thermal ammonolysis of two novel dimeric transition silylamide complexes. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 8(2), 467-481. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7402.2009.02452.x

The preparation and molecular structures of two novel dimeric transition metal silylamide complexes {Li0.5Zr[NHSi(NMe2)3]1.5[NSi(NMe2)3]0.5[μ -NSi(NMe2)3]}2 and {Li0.5Hf[NHSi(NMe2)3]1.5[NSi(NMe2)3]0.5[μ-NSi(NMe2)3]}2 with a tetrahedral coordination e... Read More about Preparation, structural characterization, and thermal ammonolysis of two novel dimeric transition silylamide complexes.

Investigation of the stability of Co-doped apatite ionic conductors in NH3 (2010)
Journal Article
Headspith, D. A., Orera, A., Slater, P. R., Young, N. A., & Francesconi, M. G. (2010). Investigation of the stability of Co-doped apatite ionic conductors in NH3. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 183(12), 2746-2758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2010.08.033

Hydrogen powered solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are of enormous interest as devices for the efficient and clean production of electrical energy. However, a number of problems linked to hydrogen production, storage and transportation are slowing down... Read More about Investigation of the stability of Co-doped apatite ionic conductors in NH3.

Formation of apatite oxynitrides by the reaction between apatite-type oxide ion conductors, La8+xSr2-x(Si/Ge)6O26+x/2, and ammonia (2009)
Journal Article
Orera, A., Headspith, D., Apperley, D. C., Francesconi, M. G., & Slater, P. R. (2009). Formation of apatite oxynitrides by the reaction between apatite-type oxide ion conductors, La8+xSr2-x(Si/Ge)6O26+x/2, and ammonia. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 182(12), 3294-3298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2009.09.029

Following growing interest in the use of ammonia as a fuel in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), we have investigated the possible reaction between the apatite silicate/germanate electrolytes, La8+xSr2−x(Si/Ge)6O26+x/2, and NH3 gas. We examine how the c... Read More about Formation of apatite oxynitrides by the reaction between apatite-type oxide ion conductors, La8+xSr2-x(Si/Ge)6O26+x/2, and ammonia.

Synthesis and characterisation of the quaternary nitride-fluoride Ce2MnN3F2-δ (2009)
Journal Article
Headspith, D. A., Sullivan, E., Greaves, C., & Francesconi, M. G. (2009). Synthesis and characterisation of the quaternary nitride-fluoride Ce2MnN3F2-δ. Dalton Transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry, 9273-9279. https://doi.org/10.1039/b908591b

Ce 2 MnN 3 F 2-δ has been synthesised via low-temperature fluorination of the ternary nitride Ce 2 MnN 3 . To the best of our knowledge, Ce 2 MnN 3 F 2-δ is the first quaternary nitride-fluoride to be reported. The reaction of Ce 2 MnN 3 with 10% F 2... Read More about Synthesis and characterisation of the quaternary nitride-fluoride Ce2MnN3F2-δ.

Transition metal pnictide-halides: A class of under-explored compounds (2009)
Journal Article
Headspith, D. A., & Francesconi, M. G. (2009). Transition metal pnictide-halides: A class of under-explored compounds. Topics in catalysis, 52(11), 1611-1627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-009-9282-5

In terms of application, mixed anion compounds have attracted far less attention than mixed cation systems. Interest in the catalytic properties of nitrides has been driven, in part, by their accessibility through new, improved synthesis routes. Alth... Read More about Transition metal pnictide-halides: A class of under-explored compounds.

An investigation of the high temperature reaction between the apatite oxide ion conductor La9.33Si6O26 and NH3 (2009)
Journal Article
Kendrick, E., Headspith, D., Orera, A., Apperley, D. C., Smith, R. I., Francesconi, M. G., & Slater, P. R. (2009). An investigation of the high temperature reaction between the apatite oxide ion conductor La9.33Si6O26 and NH3. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19(6), 749-754. https://doi.org/10.1039/b808215d

There is growing interest in the use of ammonia as a fuel in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). However, the possible reaction between the electrolyte and ammonia, and its potential effect on performance, has received little attention. In this paper, we... Read More about An investigation of the high temperature reaction between the apatite oxide ion conductor La9.33Si6O26 and NH3.

Stereostructural behaviour of N-N atropisomers: Two conglomerate crystallisations and a crystallisation-induced deracemisation (2008)
Journal Article
Arthur, R. J., Coogan, M. P., Casadesus, M., Haigh, R., Headspith, D. A., Francesconi, M. G., & Laye, R. H. (2009). Stereostructural behaviour of N-N atropisomers: Two conglomerate crystallisations and a crystallisation-induced deracemisation. CrystEngComm RSC, 11(4), 610-619. https://doi.org/10.1039/b814424a

The solid state behaviour of a number of compounds which show hindered rotation around an N-N bond, in some cases leading to axial chirality is described. A diacyl hydrazine, bisanthranoly hydrazine, 1 crystallises in the chiral space group P2(1)2(1)... Read More about Stereostructural behaviour of N-N atropisomers: Two conglomerate crystallisations and a crystallisation-induced deracemisation.