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Details for Dr Sean Davis

Personal details
Name Dr Sean Davis
Job title Senior Lecturer
Department School of Chemistry University of Bristol
Contact details This expert can be contacted via the University of Bristol Public Relations Office.

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work+44 (0)117 331 8092
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Qualifications B.Sc., Ph.D.(Bath)
Professional details
Keywords inorganic and materials chemistry
templated assembly of nanoparticles
spontaneous formation of macroporous ceramics
Areas of expertise My group's research falls in two main areas. 'Templated assembly of nanoparticles' and 'spontaneous formation of macroporous ceramics'.

I. 'Templated assembly of nanoparticles': Various templates, both synthetic and biological, are being used as structural scaffolds to control the deposition of colloidal inorganic 'building blocks'. Sponge-like starch gels can be loaded with performed magnetic, ceramic or semiconducting nanoparticles to produce monolithic hybrid materials. Subsequent removal of the template by heating produces highly porous inorganic replicas. Micron sized spherical hybrid particles can be prepared using polymer latex particles, emulsion droplets or cells as templates.

II.'Spontaneous formation of macroporous ceramics': We have recently developed a method to produce macroporous ceramic powders and fibres from alkoxide pre-cursors. In addition to the synthesis and characterisation of these novel materials, properties such as the biocompatibility and photocatalytic activity of macroporous titania are also investigated.