​University Spervisor: Dr Richard Jones

ISIS Supervisor: Dr Silvia Capelli

The changes in the structure of molecular compounds by the application of external phenomena in particular light and temperature have drawn increasing attention as they offer the prospect of developing new memory storage and switching devices. Two of the most widely investigated areas are chromotropism and spin crossover materials. Chromotropism is the process for which a change in colour of a material in its crystalline state occurs by the action of external stimuli. Photochromic materials in particular have long been used in ophthalmic lenses, with increasing interest for their use in electronic applications. Spin crossover materials are compounds in which an external stimuli produces a change in spin state involving the d-orbitals of a transition metal atom in a metal-organic complex, often producing a concomitant change in colour and physical properties. In order to understand the mechanism of reaction to the stimuli and the inter/intra-molecular interactions involved in the process, we will develop methods and instrumentation for a combined in-situ approach using single-crystal neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy on the SXD diffractometer at the ISIS neutron and muon facility, which will enable the interrogation of the structure of these functional materials while “in-action".

Closing date for applications is 2 July​ 2019. 

To apply, go to http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/studentships/ and click on the "Apply online here" button in this studentship.​