Professor Graham J. Leggett
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Professor of Nanoscale Analytical Science
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Full contact details
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Dainton Building
13 Brook Hill
91Ö±²¥
S3 7HF
- Profile
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Prof. Leggett obtained a BSc in Chemistry from UMIST in 1987. His PhD from the same institution, obtained in 1990, was followed by consecutive appointments as Research Associate at Universities of Washington and Nottingham. In 1994 he was appointed as lecturer at the University of Nottingham 1994-98. He became a Lecturer at UMIST in 1998, where he was subsequently promoted to senior lecturer and reader.
In 2002 he was appointed as Professor of nanoscale analytical chemistry at the University of 91Ö±²¥. He was appointed as the Head of Department in 2018.
- Research interests
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Graham's research is focused on the chemistry of nanoscale interfaces. Currently, three themes are of special interest:
- nanophotonics, including nanofabrication and plasmonics
- biologically-inspired design, in particular the construction of photonic materials inspired by photosynthetic systems
- molecular interactions at nanometre scale interfaces, including fundamental investigations of the thermodynamics and mechanics of sliding contacts between molecules (nanotribology)
In strong light-matter coupling, an ensemble of excitons (molecular excited states) is hybridised with a confined optical mode (localised surface plasmon resonance) to create new states called plexcitons that combine the properties of light and matter. Our goal is to combine strong light-matter coupling with biologically-inspired design principles, to create new materials for applications in technologies such as solar energy capture and photocatalysis.
In our 'molecular photonic breadboards', minimal units - synthetic antenna complexes - are designed from scratch to organise molecular components precisely in space and assembled to form nanostructured films, with the aim of controlling excitation transfer from the nm to the cm scale. This work builds on our core expertise in making and characterising molecular thin films, including self-assembled monolayers (ordered molecular films formed by spontaneous adsorption onto a solid surface) and polymer brushes (polymers grown from surface-bound initiator molecules). We have developed a suite of techniques for manipulating surface chemistry at the nanometre scale, including nanophotonic methods based upon near-field photolithography and interferometric methods. We use powerful analytical methods, including atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry, to characterise the chemistry of molecular films.
Using scanning probe microscopy, we measure noncovalent interactions between organic molecules at nanoscale interfaces, and we measure nanoscale sliding forces (friction) to explore the thermodynamics of molecular interfaces. Using these quantitative measurements we explore the molecular origins of friction and adhesion in a diversity of applications, including hair-care, laundry detergents and lubrication systems. Our goal is to use nanoscience to discover how to design sustainable alternatives to the active components in these important every-day products.
- Publications
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Journal articles
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
- Some recent developments in SPM of crystalline polymers. Macromolecular Symposia, Vol. 167(1) (pp 1-14)
Preprints
- Teaching interests
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Analytical Chemistry; Surface Chemistry.
- Teaching activities
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Undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules
- Chemistry and the World Around Us (Level 1): Fuel
The course examines how chemical principles may be used to make qualitative assessments of the efficiency of energy production, and explores the complexity of many issues facing society as it grapples with the problems of climate change and energy supply scarcity. - Solid Surfaces and Catalysis (Level 3)
This course considers the nature of gas-solid interactions and their relationship to catalytic activity. - Nanochemistry (Level 4)
This provides an overview of the role of chemistry in nanotechnology, and introduce students to major techniques for the fabrication and characterisation of nanostructured materials and devices. - Polymer Characterisation and Analysis (Postgraduate Level)
This course explores the major instrumental methods for identifying polymers and determining characteristics including: polymer molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, stereochemistry, sequence distribution in copolymers, transition temperatures, and surface features.
Support Teaching:
- Level 3 Literature Review
Laboratory Teaching:
- Level 1 Physical Laboratories
- Level 2 Physical Laboratories
- Level 3 Research Project
- Level 4 Research Project
- Chemistry and the World Around Us (Level 1): Fuel
Links