Primary fields of research

My research interest is in environmental materials chemistry with the following focus areas: 

• Chemistry of synthetic and natural materials, incl. iron oxides, silica, carbonates, for soil formation, (bio-)mineralisation pathways, transport processes and pollutant remediation, incl. field-scale observations. Strong focus on the redox and sorption properties and long-term stability of iron minerals and derived materials under reduced, waterlogged soil conditions.

• Biochar soil amendment for enhanced soil quality, carbon sequestration and pollutant removal. Focus on linking biochar catalytic activity to biochar surface and bulk properties as affected by biochar production (feedstock, pyrolysis), and developing biochar-based catalysts for organic pollutant degradation.

• Pioneering experimental designs combined with high-end analytical techniques (incl. synchrotron) to monitor how nanomaterials form, transform, transport and interact with soil solutes, inorganically, or mediated by biology, under simulated natural conditions.