Chemistry Research

A flask in a chemistry fume hood

World-leading expertise and cutting-edge facilities in a diverse and inclusive research environment

Researchers in Lancaster Chemistry Department work in state-of-the-art laboratories with access to cutting-edge analytical equipment.

Our research spans three over-arching themes of energy, materials and health. In each of these themes we are working to develop new chemical solutions to address societal and environmental challenges. Researchers work within five cross-cutting research groups which reflect the skills and expertise of our academic staff.

We collaborate with colleagues from across the University, actively engaging in research alongsideLancaster Environment Centre, theSchool of Engineering, and theFaculty of Health and Medicine, as well as partners from a range of companies and institutions internationally.

Research themes

  • Energy

    We are developing new chemistries to convert and store renewable energy to support the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions.

  • Health

    We are tackling key societal health challenges and designing new treatment chemistries and technologies.

  • Materials

    We are designing new materials with properties optimized for emerging technologies.

Research groups

  • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy

    Physical and analytical chemistry at Lancaster encompasses the characterisation of chemical structures, mechanisms and properties. This is applied to a wide range of systems including catalysts, energy materials, biomolecules and polymers.

  • Electrochemistry and Surfaces

    Electrochemistry is a diverse, multidisciplinary topic at the interface of electrical processes and chemical reactions.

  • Inorganic Chemistry

    Inorganic chemistry at Lancaster focuses on the design, synthesis and study of new transition metal-based and main-group compounds, for application in catalysis, materials and medicine.

  • Organic Chemistry

    Organic chemistry at Lancaster focuses on the design and study of new organic and catalytic processes, for the synthesis of small molecules with application in materials and medicine.

  • Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

    Chemical theory and computation at Lancaster focuses on advancing the fundamental description of chemical systems as well as the application of simulations to provide insights and interpretations of experimental data.

Research facilities

Chemistry news

Lancaster Chemistry Department

Chemistry Department welcomes summer interns

Lancaster University’s Chemistry Department welcomes its latest group of summer research students, who will be working the Department on key research projects.
Different capacitors against a blue background

Power in Chaos: Disordered battery structures outperform ordered counterparts

Chemistry researchers at Lancaster and Cambridge discover that a “messy” internal structure of battery-like devices can greatly increase their energy storage compared to those using a neater structure.
Dr Munoz superimposed onto the Pint of Science logo

Chemistry’s “Full Pint” demonstrates the joys of public engagement

Chemistry’s “Pint of Science” participants highlight the benefits – both personal and professional - of public engagement
Dr M. Paz Muñoz

Chemistry lecturer elected member on prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Community Council

Dr M. Paz Muñoz of Lancaster’s Chemistry Department has been elected as a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Organic Chemistry Community Council.
Dr Maria Paz Muñoz and Dr Abigail Frith

Synthetic Chemist kicks off £240K Leverhulme Trust-funded research project

Dr Maria Paz Muñoz, Senior Lecturer in Lancaster’s Chemistry Department, began the 36-month project into introducing chirality in molecules using gold and DNA in May, appointing Dr Abigail Frith as a Senior Research Associate.

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