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Philip Davies

Professor Philip Davies

(he/him)

Professor of Physical Chemistry

School of Chemistry

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Media commentator
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Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

We are interested in the fundamental surface processes that underlie phenomena such as catalysis, corrosion and adhesion. These are influenced by many different factors and our work must therefore encompass aspects such as the elemental composition, chemistry and topography of a surface. The broad applicability of our research is evidenced by the wide variety of collaborations in which we are involved including groups in Pharmacy, Engineering, Bioscience, Archaeology and Earth sciences.

Our expertise includes:

· Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) Infrared spectroscopy of surfaces with 5 nm lateral resolution

· X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) which provides chemical information on the surface

· Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for imaging non-conductors from the nanometre to the micrometer level

· Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) for imaging conducting surface structures at atomic resolution

We also conduct research in photocatalysis and from 2012-2016, I coordinated the FP7 PCATDES consortium which included researchers from the UK, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. The project developed prototype photocatalytic reactors for water purification.

I was founding director of the EPSRC National Research Facility in Photoelectron Spectroscopy "HarwellXPS", in 2017 which offers state of the art XPS, UPS and ISS for the community. I am currently co-director of HarwellXPS.

We are part of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute

For more information, click on the 'Research' tab above.

Links

Personal Web Site: http://www.cf.ac.uk/chemy/staffinfo/surfsci/davies/

See Also: Cardiff Catalysis Institute and HarwellXPS

Publication

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Articles

Book sections

Books

Research

Our primary interest is understanding how a surface can modifies or direct a chemical reaction with particular interest in heterogeneous catalysis where the surface has long been recognised critical in determining activity, selectivity and lifetime. However, surface chemistry is an integral part of almost every heterogeneous system and thus our work is also relevant to aspects of adhesion, corrosion and biological activity. The core of our work has been concerned with understanding the reactions of molecules at surfaces characterised both chemically and structurally at the atomic level.

The heart of our research is our expertise in photoelectron spectroscopy (I was founding Director of the very successful EPSRC National Research Facility in Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HarwellXPS)) and nanoscale vibrational spectroscopy, we have the only Photo induced force microscope in the UK which provides infrared spectroscopy with 5 nm lateral resolution and applications anywhere the local chemistry of a surface or interface is needed.

Other aspects of our work include studying the mechanism of photocatalysis, and in particular water splitting; characterising the decomposition pathways for archaeological iron (collaboration with the School of Conservation); investigating novel polymeric based sensors (collaboration with the School of Pharmacy) and exploring the anti-bacterial properties of nano-particulate silver (collaboration with the School of Pharmacy)

 

For more information on specific projects available with Professor Philip Davies please review the Catalysis and interfacial science section of our research project themes

Teaching

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Taught Courses

CH5101 Foundations of Physical Chemistry (Spectroscopy)

CH5201 Further Physical Chemistry (Kinetics & interface science)

CH5206 Key Skills for Chemists

CH2306 Application of Research Methods

CH4409 Applications of Advanced Spectroscopic Methods

CHT330 Applications of Advanced Spectroscopic Methods


Postgraduate Research Courses

Inkscape for scientific illustration

Zotero for reference management

Details of modules can be found in course finder.

Biography

1989 PhD, University College Cardiff (Supervisor: M. W. Roberts)

1989 Lecturer in Chemistry, Cardiff

2000 Senior Lecturer

2014 Personal Chair in Physical Chemistry

2012-2016 Coordinator of the FP7 funded PCATDES consortium

2017-2023 Director, EPSRC National Research Facility in Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HarwellXPS)

2023-present co-Director, HarwellXPS

Honours and awards

Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Supervisions

  • Surface science (Photoelectron spectroscopy & nanoscale vibrational spectroscopy)
  • Surface treatments
  • Surface characterisation
  • Nanoscale surface design
  • Photocatalysis.

Current supervision

Samah Alsidran

Samah Alsidran

Research student

Saleha Maashi Maashi

Saleha Maashi Maashi

Research student

Layla Aleyadah

Layla Aleyadah

Research student

Contact Details

Email DaviesPR@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29208 74072
Campuses Translational Research Hub, Floor 3rd, Room 3.25, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

Specialisms

  • Surface Science
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Photocatalysis
  • Coatings
  • Nanoscale characterisation