About us
The group studies the structures, properties and stabilities of minerals and fluids in order to explain why particular structures develop, the conditions that are required and the mechanisms involved. This insight in turn allows us to identify and control these processes, whether to investigate and preserve the natural environment or develop more efficient and environmentally-responsible industrial practices.
Particular emphasis is given to studies of mineral surfaces, amorphous precipitates and geofluids. Innovative applications of advanced analytical, spectroscopic and imaging techniques are combined with theory to model the geometric and electronic structures and properties of minerals and their surfaces, fluid species, and mineral - fluid interactions. A range of techniques means we can study, for example, the structure and chemistry of potentially toxic metals from their presence as trace elements in solution through the formation of colloidal particles and on to sorption at mineral surfaces or precipitation as part of a solid phase.
Previous research has included
- the first atomic resolution studies of ilmenite (FeTiO3);
- novel in situ studies of the dissolution of feldspars performed using synchrotron methods;
- determination of the mechanisms and rates of uptake of potentially toxic elements from solution (Cd, U, Tc) onto the surfaces of common minerals;
- the determination of the speciation of Cu and Sb in sulfide solutions;
- the use of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism to find site occupancies in Co, Ni, Zn and Mg ferrite spinels;
- the first applications of synchrotron methods to studying flotation systems; and
- and computer modelling studies of structure and reactivity of sulphide mineral surfaces.