ProfessorAlison Downard

Our major research focus combines electrochemistry and surface chemistry. We specialise in preparation of nanoscale organic layers on conducting materials, frequently through electrografting procedures. Our work has contributed to the basic understanding of how the layers form, their structure and their attachment to the substrate. Our expertise includes developing methods for patterning these layers and for preparing layers incorporating more than one chemical species in controlled amounts. Through on-surface chemistry on reactive layers, a wide variety of functional interfaces can be prepared. Recently we have expanded our research in two areas: preparing high-performing catalytic electrodes by tailoring immobilised molecular catalysts, and using nanoscale layers to control the surface electronic and chemical properties of transparent conducting oxides.