Richard J. Darton

Dr. Richard J. Darton is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the Lennard-Jones School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University. He previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of British Columbia and the University of Warwick, focusing on materials chemistry.

• MChem (University of St Andrews, 2001)
• PhD in Structural Studies of Zeolites (University of St Andrews, 2005)

His research centers on materials chemistry, particularly hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of porous materials like zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for catalysis, sensors, and gas storage applications. He employs solid-state NMR, X-ray, and neutron diffraction techniques to analyze synthesis mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight his work on catalyst design (doped perovskites for biogas reforming), porous materials (mesoporous zeolites), and educational initiatives (international group work for sustainable chemistry). Collaborations span synthesis, characterization, and sustainable applications.