Research group

Energy and Electrochemistry

Several students in laboratory looking into the computer screen

We have a strong interest in the fundamentals of electrochemical science and technology including interactions with biological systems, cavitation, microelectrode techniques, new technique development and scanning methods.

Part of Chemistry

About

We have a strong interest in the fundamentals of electrochemical science and technology, including interactions with biological systems, cavitation, microelectrode techniques, new technique development and scanning methods.

As well as investigating fundamental electrochemical processes, our research explores a broad range of application areas including:

  • electroanalysis
  • functional materials
  • batteries and supercapacitors
  • thermoelectrics
  • fuel cells and electrolysers
  • nanomaterials
  • semiconductor deposition
  • sensors
  • electrochemically mediated synthesis 

The work is broad, from new materials to small-scale testing, demonstrator devices and operando studies of working systems.

The group is steeped in history. Established in 1967, it was the UK's first dedicated electrochemistry research group. Since 1969, it has run a world-renowned “Instrumental Methods in Electrochemistry” summer school. The group has evolved to focus and tackle modern day challenges with a strong interest on energy-related topics. Members of the group have authored more than 200 scientific papers since 2020, with the group attracting over £9M in research income over the last REF period (2013-2020). The group sustains a considerable portfolio of industrial contacts and partnerships. 

Our past members include:

  • Professor Martin Fleishmann 
  • Professor Roger Parsons 
  • Professor Laurie Peter 
  • Dr Alan Bewick
  • Professor David Schiffrin
  • Professor Derek Pletcher

People, projects and publications

People

Professor Andrea Russell

Professor of Physical Electrochemistry

Research interests

  • Structure/property relationships in electrocatalysts
  • Development and application of syncrotron based spectroscopic techniques for operando characterisation of electrocatalysts, electrode structures, and electrochemical interfaces
  • Development and application of vibrational spectroscopies (IR and Raman) to study electrochemical interfaces and reactions
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Professor Andrew Hector

Head of School

Research interests

  • Materials synthesis, including metal nitrides, thin film materials, sol-gel and solvothermal processes and porous structures.
  • Materials characterisation – powder and thin film diffraction, microscopy and spectroscopy techniques.
  • Electrochemistry, including charge storage in battery and supercapacitor type cells, and electrodeposition of various materials. 

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Eileen Yu

Professor of Chemical Engineering

Research interests

  • Electrochemical, bioelectrochemical systems for Energy and Environmental applications
  • Biosensor and Bioelectronics for Biomedical Applications
  • Materials for Electro and Bioelectrochemical systems

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Guy Denuault

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Oxygen reactions in electrocatalysis
  • Theory and applications of nanoelectrodes, microelectrodes and nanostructured microelectrodes
  • Theory and applications of scanning electrochemical microscopy

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Iris Nandhakumar

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Scanning Probe Microscopy
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Nanoscale materials

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Nuno Bimbo

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Adsorption and porous materials
  • Gas Storage and Separations
  • Hydrogen technologies

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Nuria Garcia-Araez

Professor

Research interests

  • Batteries

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Peter Birkin

Professor

Research interests

  • My work has centred on the phenomena of cavitation; this is both a fascinating and experimentally challenging arena but ultimately this work has led to a number of exploitable technologies.

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Philip Bartlett

Professor of Chemistry

Research interests

  • Electrochemistry
  • Bioelectrochemistry
  • Templated electrodeposition of nanomaterials
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Electrochemistry is the core discipline enabling a more sustainable future, especially in the areas of energy and the circular economy, contributing also to healthcare and the environment. It is now an exciting time to be an electrochemist and Southampton, with its long history in the field, is an outstanding place to be a part of.
Professor of Physical Electrochemistry

Related research institutes, centres and groups

Related research institutes, centres and groups

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Get in touch

If you have a question for the group or the School, please contact us using the email addresses below.

Group administration

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering