Professor Stuart Taylor

: Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Stuart Taylor

Professor of Catalysis
School of Chemistry
Managing Director Cardiff Catalysis Institute
Cardiff Catalysis Institute

I am Professor of Catalysis and Deputy Head of the School of Chemistry at Cardiff University, and Director of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute. I joined Cardiff in 1997 after completing my PhD and postdoctoral research at the University of Liverpool. I am a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and was elected to Academia Europaea in 2025.

My research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, with internationally recognised contributions to catalyst design, preparation, and mechanistic understanding. This work underpins advances in sustainability, green chemistry, energy, and environmental protection. I pioneered supercritical antisolvent precipitation for catalyst synthesis, leading to breakthroughs in low-temperature carbon monoxide oxidation. My research has appeared in leading journals, and is supported by major funding bodies and global industry partners.

My achievements have been recognised through the Sir John Meurig Thomas Catalysis Medal (2022), the Royal Society of Chemistry Sustainability, Environment and Energy Open Prize (2023), and the Learned Society of Wales Menelaus Medal (2024). I am committed to translating fundamental science into practical solutions, such as delivering catalysts for life-support systems and clean energy technologies.

Date
Type

1997

Hudson, I. D. et al., 1997. New class of uranium oxide catalysts for the oxidative destruction of volatile organic compounds in the vapour phase. Presented at: 90th Annual Meeting Air Waste Management Association Toronto, Canada 8-13 June 1997. Proceedings of the 1997 Air & Waste Management Association's 90th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Toronto, Canada: Air & Waste Management Association
Hutchings, G. J. et al. 1997. A novel approach to the scientific design of oxide catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to methanol. Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 107 , pp.41-46. (10.1016/S0167-2991(97)80314-X)
Hutchings, G. J. et al. 1997. The catalytic combustion of volatile chloro-organic compounds using uranium oxide catalysts. Preprints - American Chemical Society, Division of Petroleum Chemistry 42 (1), pp.142-145.

1996

Hutchings, G. J. et al. 1996. Uranium-oxide-based catalysts for the destruction of volatile chloro-organic compounds. Nature 384 (6607), pp.341-343. (10.1038/384341a0)

My research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and its role in enabling sustainable chemical processes. Catalysis is central to producing cleaner fuels, reducing emissions, and achieving net-zero targets, yet designing efficient catalysts requires understanding the relationship between their structure, preparation, and reaction mechanisms.

A major theme of my work is catalyst synthesis and discovery. I pioneered supercritical antisolvent (SAS) precipitation for catalyst preparation, enabling breakthroughs such as using georgeite as a precursor for highly active copper-based catalysts for methanol synthesis and hydrogen production. Detailed investigation of how preparation controls the performance of catalysts for low-temperature carbon monoxide oxidation have led to innovations for catalysts now used in critical life-support systems and emission control technologies.

My research combines preparation with advanced characterisation and mechanistic studies to reveal how catalysts operate at the molecular level. This knowledge drives the design of catalysts for selective oxidation, CO₂ conversion, and VOC removal for environmental protection, contributing to sustainability and circular economy goals.

Future directions include developing catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol and other renewable fuels, advancing methane valorisation under mild conditions, and creating robust catalytic systems for green chemical manufacturing. We are also exploring multifunctional catalysts for integrated processes and collaborating to apply cutting-edge characterisation and computational modelling to accelerate catalyst discovery and fundamental understanding.

Currently I teach year 3 catalysis:

CH3310 Heterogeneous Catalysis

Previously I have taught across a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, spectroscopy, energy resources, and materials. My contributions spanned tutorials, workshops, laboratory practicals, and supervision of research projects. I have contributed to curriculum development and major programme updates, and served as course convenor for multiple modules. Internationally, I have delivered courses at the EU PIONEER Summer School (Spain) and the Hokkaido University Summer Institute (Japan). My outreach work includes organising Royal Society Summer Science Exhibitions, STEM Live events, and Harwell Campus Open Days, inspiring future scientists and promoting the impact of chemistry.

Details of modules can be found in course finder.

Professor Stuart Taylor joined Cardiff University in 1997 as a Lecturer in Chemistry and was later promoted to Senior Lecturer (2007), Reader (2010) and full Professor (2013). He is currently Deputy Head of the School of Chemistry and Director of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI). Over his career, he has held several senior leadership roles including Director of Research and Director of Innovation and Engagement.

He studied Applied Chemistry at Brunel University (1987–1991) and completed his PhD at the University of Liverpool (1991–1994) on selective methane oxidation. After postdoctoral research and a role as Principal Scientist at Liverpool, he moved to Cardiff to establish his research group in heterogeneous catalysis.

Professor Taylor’s research focuses on catalyst design and preparation for sustainable chemical processes, green chemistry, and environmental protection. He pioneered supercritical antisolvent precipitation for catalyst synthesis, leading to breakthroughs in low-temperature carbon monoxide oxidation and selective methane conversion. His work has been published in leading journals including Nature and Science, and is supported by major UKRI and EU grants and collaborations with industry worldwide.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Learned Society of Wales, and was elected to Academia Europaea in 2025. His contributions have been recognised by award of the Sir John Meurig Thomas Catalysis Medal (2022), the RSC Environment Prize (2023), and the Learned Society of Wales Menelaus Medal (2024).