Research Supervisors - School of Chemistry

Our expertise impacts the following enterprise themes:


Clean Energy

Chem4Health

Green Chemistry

Smart Food

Please find below our Academics and their Research Areas.

Synthesis and characterization of novel materials e.g. ionic liquids in sustainable catalysis and renewable energy storage. Currently the main goal of my research is to find the most suitable, inexpensive, and sustainable intermediate temperature phase change material for the revolutionary Carnot Battery to store renewable energy.

Our group explores the relationship between solid state structures (particularly of coordination complexes and polymers) and properties such as magnetism and porosity (including gas capture and storage). Areas of interest include small cyano anions as routes to single molecule magnets and ionic liquids, nanoballs and other metallosupramolecules, and porous coordination polymers.  Keywords: Inorganic chemistry; transition metal and lanthanoid coordination chemistry; supramolecular chemistry; crystal engineering; coordination polymers; metal-organic frameworks (MOFs); X-ray crystallography.

My research centres on the use of glass nanopipettes to “see” the nanoscale active sites of electrodes during operation, through high-resolution electrochemical microscopy. Relating electrochemical activity on this scale to the underlying electrode surface structure guides the design/synthesis of the “next-generation” of materials with higher activity, improved stability, longer cycle life etc.

The recovery, conversion and utilisation of solid, liquid and gas fuels and the development of efficiency improvements and emission reductions associated with their use. A particular focus on the capture and utilisation of CO2 through the development of novel adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts.

We carry out research in the areas of nanoscience, spectroscopy and energy and transfer. Our group is involved in the synthesis and growth mechanism of novel nanocrystals, including metal nanocrystals (plasmonics) and quantum dots (QDs). We also work on the assembly of these nanocrystals into superstructures and the investigation of the optical properties (spectroscopy) of the nanocrystals and their assemblies. We are interested in the fundamental aspects of energy and electron transfer in the nanocrystal assemblies, and donor-acceptor systems which incorporate nanocrystals, molecular dyes (fluorophores) and conjugated polymers both at the ensemble and single nanocrystal/assembly level.

Materials for energy conversion and storage. Low temperature synthesis of ammonia. Preparation and characterization of ionic liquids and other types of ionic materials for a range of applications in electrochemistry, green chemistry, solar cells, batteries and biotechnology, including protein stabilization
and biopreservation.

Keith works in the School of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science at Monash University as an Emeritus Professor. His research interests are in the field of molecular magnetism dealing with single molecule magnets (SMMs) and spin-crossover species. He holds grants from the ARC and recently held a grant from the Australia-India AISRF program. Research interests: inorganic chemistry, transition metal chemistry, lanthanide chemistry, molecule based magnetism, spin crossover chemistry.

Development of cost-effective quantum chemical methods for intermolecular interactions and chemical reactions; coding of these methods in a program for massively parallel computers, prediction of properties of condensed systems such as molecular crystals and ionic solvents; free-radical polymerisation in ionic media; radical organic batteries; design of ionic electrolytes for metal-ion batteries and the Haber-Bosch process; applications of machine learning for drug design and prediction of crystal structures

Our teams' research is focused on the discovery of new molecules (inorganic and organic) that respond to a stimulus or stimuli such as light and pressure (photochromism, fluorescence and mechanochromism). Ultimately our goal is to develop novel materials of technological value in emerging areas such as multifunctional smart surfaces.

Discovering new bioactive metal compounds as anti-inflammatory, antitumour and antimicrobial agents, development of new antimicrobial materials, synthesis of homo- and hetero-bimetallic metal cages and materials for medical imaging and therapeutics, and exploring metal-mediated anion rearrangements in main group organometallic complexes.

Single molecule spectroscopy, time resolved fluorescence, energy transfer (FRET), energy transfer, annihilation phenomena, photon bunching and photon correlation. Used to discover the fundamental photophysical properties of new materials at the single molecule level, understanding how energy is transported
around in multi-chromophoric dye molecules, polymer chains and nanoparticles, and using SM techniques to address biophysical problems such as protein folding, aggregation and conformational change.

Main Group Organometallic Chemistry. In particular the synthesis structure and application of organometallic P-chiral  and C-chiral phosphido complexes. Synthesis and structural studies of chiral amido  homo- and hetero-bimetallic main group metal complexes. Medicinal Chemistry
(in collaboration with Prof. Phil Andrews). Development of new metallo-drugs for combating Leishmania. Development of new bioactive bismuth compounds as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and anti-microbial agents.

The recovery, conversion and utilisation of solid, liquid and gas fuels and the development of efficiency improvements and emission reductions associated with their use. A particular focus on the capture and utilisation of CO2 through the development of novel adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts.

Rare earths; main group elements; precious metals; synthesis and catalysis; organometallics; coordination compounds; organooxo- and organoamidometallics; corrosion inhibitors; anticancer compounds; ionic liquids; MOCVD precursors; metals in the environment.

We carry out research in the areas of nanoscience, spectroscopy and energy and transfer. Our group is involved in the synthesis and growth mechanism of novel nanocrystals, including metal nanocrystals (plasmonics) and quantum dots (QDs). We also work on the assembly of these nanocrystals into superstructures and the investigation of the optical properties (spectroscopy) of the nanocrystals and their assemblies. We are interested in the fundamental aspects of energy and electron transfer in the nanocrystal assemblies, and donor-acceptor systems which incorporate nanocrystals, molecular dyes (fluorophores) and conjugated polymers both at the ensemble and single nanocrystal/assembly level.

Synthesis of precision polymer materials via controlled polymerization, using conventional and continuous flow synthesis techniques and the study of polymer materials for applications ranging from industrial use to biomedical studies.

Donald is professor of molecular sciences in the school of chemistry and director of the centre for biospectroscopy. His main interests are : vibrational spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging directed to understanding the molecular basis of biological systems; microwave spectroscopy directed at transient species, atmospheric species and interstellar molecules; synchrotron infrared spectroscopy.

Chem4HealthGreen Chemistry Prof. Andrea Robinson

+61 3 9905 4553
Andrea.Robinson@monash.edu

Organic synthesis; asymmetric synthesis; organometallic catalysis; medicinal chemistry; peptide synthesis; peptidomimetics; cascade/tandem reactions.

My principal role over the next three years will be as Course Coordinator for the Master of Green
Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies but will also be involved in embedding sustainable
chemistry principles and activities into our overall undergraduate program. As a continuing T&R staff
member I will also continue to focus on her research and outreach activities. Two of my four current
PhD students will be joining her at Monash.
I come from the University of Newcastle where my research focus was on understanding the
programmable properties of lipid-based nanostructured materials, the intermolecular mechanisms
underlying their manipulation, and looking to direct their function as on-demand matrices for drug
delivery and molecular detection.
I also have a passion for education and the environment: In partnership with Swiss NGO, Sail and
Explore Association, I have been running citizen science and student projects to quantify the amount
of microplastics in marine environments, with a view to educating and changing public attitudes
towards plastic use. This is work I will continue at Monash with my international collaborators.

Synthesis and characterization of novel materials e.g. ionic liquids in sustainable catalysis and renewable energy storage. Currently the main goal of my research is to find the most suitable, inexpensive, and sustainable intermediate temperature phase change material for the revolutionary Carnot Battery to store renewable energy.

Discovering new bioactive metal compounds as anti-inflammatory, antitumour and antimicrobial agents, development of new antimicrobial materials, synthesis of homo- and hetero-bimetallic metal cages and materials for medical imaging and therapeutics, and exploring metal-mediated anion rearrangements in main group organometallic complexes.

Research interests across all types of (food) chemistry, processing bio/physical-functionality and clinical research. There are great opportunities for applying chemistry into the food space, with significant outcomes for human health and industry development.

My research centres on the use of glass nanopipettes to “see” the nanoscale active sites of electrodes during operation, through high-resolution electrochemical microscopy. Relating electrochemical activity on this scale to the underlying electrode surface structure guides the design/synthesis of the “next-generation” of materials with higher activity, improved stability, longer cycle life etc.

Main Group Organometallic Chemistry. In particular the synthesis structure and application of organometallic P-chiral  and C-chiral phosphido complexes. Synthesis and structural studies of chiral amido  homo- and hetero-bimetallic main group metal complexes. Medicinal Chemistry
(in collaboration with Prof. Phil Andrews). Development of new metallo-drugs for combating Leishmania. Development of new bioactive bismuth compounds as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and anti-microbial agents.

Theory, instrumentation and application of electrochemistry in sensing, ionic liquids, trace analysis. Fundamental studies with polyoxometalates, photoelectrochemistry and solid state electrochemistry.

The interests of the group focus on the development of new catalytic methods which is of broad utility to synthetic organic chemistry. Three thematic approaches of the group are: (1) Lewis and Brønsted acid-catalyzed C-OH bond activation; (2) gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynes; and (3) transition
metal- and Brønsted acid-mediated chemistry of iminoiodanes. The application of these novel catalytic methods in natural products synthesis and drug discovery is also pursued.

Rare earths; main group elements; precious metals; synthesis and catalysis; organometallics; coordination compounds; organooxo- and organoamidometallics; corrosion inhibitors; anticancer compounds; ionic liquids; MOCVD precursors; metals in the environment.

Aquatic chemistry; biogeochemical cycling of metals and nutrients; stream metabolism; freshwater ecology; natural resource management.

Green chemistry; analytical chemistry; biotechnology; nanostructured functional materials; surface modification of polymers; solid phase synthesis; characterization and immobilization of bioactive compounds associated with molecular recognition; molecular self-assembly phenomena.

Catalysis for organic synthesis, organometallic catalysis, organocatalysis and catalysis for polymer chemistry.

Very low oxidation state and low coordination number s- and p-block compounds. Preparation of numerous fascinating compound types that were thought incapable of existence at room temperature until a few years ago. In addition to the fundamental aspects of modern main group chemistry, highly reactive,
low oxidation state metal-metal bonded systems applied to synthesis, catalysis, materials chemistry, hydrogen storage etc. This work has been extended to related investigations into the stabilisation and applications chemistry of low oxidation state first row d-block metal-metal bonded complexes.

Synthesis of precision polymer materials via controlled polymerization, using conventional and continuous flow synthesis techniques and the study of polymer materials for applications ranging from industrial use to biomedical studies.

The development of catalytic reactions for the synthesis of chiral organic molecules and their application in the synthesis of biologically relevant targets.

Materials for energy conversion and storage. Low temperature synthesis of ammonia. Preparation and characterization of ionic liquids and other types of ionic materials for a range of applications in electrochemistry, green chemistry, solar cells, batteries and biotechnology, including protein stabilization
and biopreservation.

The chemistry and applications of natural organic matter including, valorisation of biomass from various sources, mainly from food production/consumption and agricultural wastes, the production of useful chemicals and fuel additives from biomass; humic/fulvic substances as plant growth promotors and
biostimulants in agriculture; chemistry of soil organic matter and carbon sequestration in soils, organic amendments for soil; formulation of efficient organic based fertilisers and applications of green chemistry in agriculture. Green chemical catalysis applications for biomass extraction and processing.

Organic synthesis; asymmetric synthesis; organometallic catalysis; medicinal chemistry; peptide synthesis; peptidomimetics; cascade/tandem reactions.

Electrocatalysis; electrochemistry; materials chemistry; solar energy conversion; 3rd generation solar cells; water splitting devices.

Macromolecules (polymers) design and synthesis * Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization (NMP) *  Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) *  Development of universal (switchable) RAFT agents * Synthesis of polymers of novel architectures *  Synthesis of precision polymers and
sequence control polymers *  Design and synthesis of novel cyclopolymerizable monomers and polymers *  High-throughput methodologies for polymer synthesis *  Industrial applications of RAFT-derived polymers *  Bioinspired RAFT polymers as carriers for drug delivery and gene therapeutics.

The synthesis of bioactive compounds (peptidomimetics and natural products) with potential therapeutic applications, as the development of luminescent sensors for environmentally- and biologically-relevant species.

Supramolecular chemistry; organic crystal engineering; anion-sensing; neutron crystallography; porous coordination polymers; anion-templated networks.

Development of various catalytic protocols using electron deficient species (i.e. Lewis acids) based on, for example, aluminium, phosphorus and ruthenium. Small molecule activation, catalytic Diels-Alder cycloadditions, polymerisations and H/D exchange (deuteration) are some of the examples of the
target reactions. Most common applications of this research is manifested in fundamental organometallic chemistry (including structure and bonding) as well as in green and medicinal chemistry.

My interests are in using the tools of mechanistic chemistry to invent impactful technologies that reduce or eliminate the negative impacts on human health and the environment. My mechanistic interests are in non-covalent interactions of polymers and materials, the organic solid state, and metal-organic interfaces. My application interests are across all aspects of the chemical enterprises including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction materials, food, agriculture, solar energy, metals recycling.
My desire is to create novel chemistry tools to solve todays important problems.

Electrocatalysis for energy and sensing applications. Development of advanced electrochemical techniques and the corresponding quantitative theories.

 

Research interests across all types of (food) chemistry, processing bio/physical-functionality and clinical research. There are great opportunities for applying chemistry into the food space, with significant outcomes for human health and industry development.

Cycling of organic matter and nutrients in coastal ecosystems including: nutrient cycling in stratified estuaries and lagoons; nutrient cycling in permeable (sandy) sediments; bioavailability and sources of dissolved organic matter and nutrients.

Aquatic chemistry; biogeochemical cycling of metals and nutrients; stream metabolism; freshwater ecology; natural resource management.

Food Science: sensory evaluation; machinery evaluation plus panel identify what makes products similar or different; identify a design of chewing process, eyes tracking, aroma transformation, food processes.
Chemistry Education (in collaboration with A/Prof. Chris Thompson and Prof. Julia Lamborn): Evaluate student workload based on the University's Learning Management System (LMS) data relating to online and face to face modules. Also, design thinking, mapping knowledge, identifying opportunities, understanding how to design your target and to have smart move to improve the chance of success.

Gas chromatography; mass spectrometry; multidimensional and comprehensive 2D GC; absolute configuration by using chromotography with spectroscopic methods; capillary electrophoresis; high performance liquid chromatography; analytical chemistry; application of chromatography methods in the analysis
of illicit drugs, petrochemicals, pesticides, essential oils, foods & beverages, herbs & spices, metabolomics.

Use of lipid membranes as a biomimetic material to explore activity, structure and function of (i) redox active membrane proteins, including protein assembly in membranes and (ii) peptide-membrane interactions; including anti-microbial peptides (AMP), carrier peptides (eg. Tat), insulin and neurodegenerative
peptides that aggregate. Physicochemical techniques combined with synthetic chemistry, molecular and electronic (redox) considerations in order to target biomedical problems applying novel, innovative and highly cross-disciplinary methodologies to exciting and challenging research problems.

The chemistry and applications of natural organic matter including, valorisation of biomass from various sources, mainly from food production/consumption and agricultural wastes, the production of useful chemicals and fuel additives from biomass; humic/fulvic substances as plant growth promotors and
biostimulants in agriculture; chemistry of soil organic matter and carbon sequestration in soils, organic amendments for soil; formulation of efficient organic based fertilisers and applications of green chemistry in agriculture. Green chemical catalysis applications for biomass extraction and processing.

My group explores colloid science spanning a wide range of soft and self-assembled systems, from novel emulsifiers to microcapsules and liquid crystals. We are particularly interested in: new surfactants (detergents) obtained from sustainable feedstocks; responsive systems including light-sensitive
and magnetically controllable dispersions; 2D materials, especially graphene oxide and its colloidal behaviour; using small-angle scattering of neutrons and X-rays to observe structure and dynamics in colloidal systems.

The synthesis of bioactive compounds (peptidomimetics and natural products) with potential therapeutic applications, as the development of luminescent sensors for environmentally- and biologically-relevant species.

Development of various catalytic protocols using electron deficient species (i.e. Lewis acids) based on, for example, aluminium, phosphorus and ruthenium. Small molecule activation, catalytic Diels-Alder cycloadditions, polymerisations and H/D exchange (deuteration) are some of the examples of the
target reactions. Most common applications of this research is manifested in fundamental organometallic chemistry (including structure and bonding) as well as in green and medicinal chemistry.

My interests are in using the tools of mechanistic chemistry to invent impactful technologies that reduce or eliminate the negative impacts on human health and the environment. My mechanistic interests are in non-covalent interactions of polymers and materials, the organic solid state, and metal-organic interfaces. My application interests are across all aspects of the chemical enterprises including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction materials, food, agriculture, solar energy, metals recycling.
My desire is to create novel chemistry tools to solve todays important problems.

Vibrational spectroscopy is sensitive to detecting chemical changes and in combination with artificial intelligent systems represents a fundamental new approach to analysing single molecules, subcellular structures, cells, tissues, entire organisms and ultimately ecological systems. My research is aimed at transforming state-of-the-art infrared-based technology to a new point-of-care diagnostic capability for real world medical devices that can instantaneously diagnose several major debilitating diseases, at a fraction of current costs and with unprecedented levels of sensitivity and speed. Delivery of this new disruptive technology will transform diagnosis enabling improved treatment and better patient management and has applications in blood storage, biosecurity, pharmaceutical monitoring and defense. My other areas of interest include FT-IR microspectroscopy and FT-IR imaging of cells and tissues and developing applications for cancer diagnosis, histocompatibility testing, oocyte development, stem cell research and algae research. I also have a strong interest in applying multivariate statistics and neural network architectures to the analysis of FT-IR and Raman spectra of bio-samples with the aim of developing new diagnostic algorithms.