About

We have a strong interest in the fundamentals of electrochemical science and technology, including interactions with biological systems, cavitation, microelectrode techniques, new technique development and scanning methods.

As well as investigating fundamental electrochemical processes, our research explores a broad range of application areas including:

  • electroanalysis
  • functional materials
  • batteries and supercapacitors
  • thermoelectrics
  • fuel cells and electrolysers
  • nanomaterials
  • semiconductor deposition
  • sensors
  • electrochemically mediated synthesis 

The work is broad, from new materials to small-scale testing, demonstrator devices and operando studies of working systems.

The group is steeped in history. Established in 1967, it was the UK's first dedicated electrochemistry research group. Since 1969, it has run a world-renowned “Instrumental Methods in Electrochemistry” summer school. The group has evolved to focus and tackle modern day challenges with a strong interest on energy-related topics. Members of the group have authored more than 200 scientific papers since 2020, with the group attracting over £9M in research income over the last REF period (2013-2020). The group sustains a considerable portfolio of industrial contacts and partnerships. 

Our past members include:

  • Professor Martin Fleishmann 
  • Professor Roger Parsons 
  • Professor Laurie Peter 
  • Dr Alan Bewick
  • Professor David Schiffrin
  • Professor Derek Pletcher

People, projects and publications

People

Researchers in the powder x-ray diffraction facility

Powder and materials X-ray diffraction facility

The powder and materials diffraction facilities offer a range of capabilities from simple phase identification through to complex materials analysis.
Single crystal x-ray diffraction facility

Single crystal X-ray diffraction facility

We provide a structure characterisation service and conduct research in chemical crystallography. We are home to four extremely high powered rotating anode diffractometers, with two copper source and two molybdenum source instruments.
A researcher in a cleanroom suit with a 200mm wafer in the nanofabrication cleanroom

Nanofabrication cleanrooms

The nanofabrication cleanrooms houses a fully featured suite of semiconductor processing tools as well as a planar fabrication laboratory.
A woman researcher sat in front of a computer screen in a Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry laboratory

Chromatography and mass spectrometry facility

We host 11 different mass spectrometry instruments with a range of ionisation techniques, analyser types and chromatography inlets.
Electron Diffraction Facility view

Electron diffraction facility

Our electron diffraction facility enables single-crystal structure analysis of crystallites too small for single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments.
Andrea Russell
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Electrochemistry is the core discipline enabling a more sustainable future, especially in the areas of energy and the circular economy, contributing also to healthcare and the environment. It is now an exciting time to be an electrochemist and Southampton, with its long history in the field, is an outstanding place to be a part of.

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Connect with us

If you have a question for the group or the School, please contact us using the email addresses below.

Group administration

j.k.sumner@soton.ac.uk

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

chemfos@soton.ac.uk