About
A brief description of who you are and what you do.
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Write about yourself in the third person. Aim for 100 to 150 words covering the main points about who you are and what you currently do. Clear, simple language is best. You can include specialist or technical terms.
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Research
Research interests
- Heterogeneous Catalysis
- Operando Spectroscopy
- Nanoparticle Design
Current research
Peter’s research focuses on the development of operando spectroscopic methods and controlled catalyst preparation, both essential tools in understanding the complex properties of catalysts. These studies make extensive use of synchrotron radiation facilities, both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, and strong collaboration with the UK Catalysis Hub. His experience is synchrotron radiation studies is recognised in the field and currently serves on the peer-review-panels of both Diamond Light Source and the Swiss Light Source.
A major theme of Peter’s research is the development and application of in situ and operando methods to the study of catalysis. Catalysts, by nature, are exceedingly dynamic and although unconsumed by the process of catalysis they adapt to the evolving chemical environment. Peter uses advanced X-ray based techniques, e.g. X-ray absorption spectroscopy, to follow these structural changes and relate them to how catalysts function effectively. Furthermore, the group have a keen interest in understanding the chemical steps involved within catalyst preparation – be it impregnation, sol‑immobilisation, or mechanochemical methods - and how these also contribute to catalyst performance.
Such changes are commonly place for supported metal nanoparticles, and this is another significant topic of research. The group design and prepare tailored nanoparticle catalysts with customised properties for a range of catalytic processes – from the production of sustainable platform chemicals using waste biomass to the remediation of environmental pollutants.
Combining these topics, Peter is interested in learning how specific structural changes that traditionally occur during catalysis, e.g. the formation of nitride and carbidic Pd nanoparticles (EPSRC, EP/V000691/1, £1.26M, PI – P. Wells), can be stabilised and harnessed for new catalyst technologies.
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Research groups
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Research interests
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Current research
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Research projects
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Publications
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Supervision
Current PhD Students
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Teaching
Peter is currently the module coordinator for CHEM3054 - 'Inorganic Materials Chemistry'.
Peter’s experience as an educator is evidenced through his accreditation as a 'Fellow of the Higher Education Academy'.
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Courses and modules
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External roles and responsibilities
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Biography
Peter Wells joined the University of Southampton in August 2016 as Lecturer of Inorganic Chemistry, a joint appointment with Diamond Light Source, and was promoted to Associate Professor in March 2019. Before for taking up this role, Peter worked for University College London, and was based full time at the Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH) establishing a new national catalysis initiative, the EPSRC UK Catalysis Hub. Prior to this, Peter obtained a MChem in Chemistry (University of Surrey, 2003), a PhD in the preparation and characterisation of tailored metal nanoparticles, (University of Southampton, 2007), and was Senior Research Fellow, working for Professor John Evans (University of Southampton, 2007-2011).
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Prizes
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