Ward Group | Chemistry, Lancaster University

Interdisciplinary Research

Organic synthesis, molecular design, physical measurements

Carbon monoxide-releasing materials

We are designing materials to kill bacteria/prevent biofilm formation

Fluorescent Materials

We are making fluorescent materials that self-assemble on surfaces for various optical/optoelectronic applications. Demonstration procedures for oscillating luminol clock available on the RSC website. Highly recommended! link to RSC page

Molecular Electronics

We have an interest in preparing pi-conjugated molecules and tuning the electrical and thermal conductance

Robust photocatalysts

Development of new pi-conjugated photocatalysts with strong-bonding throughout the system

News and Recent Publications

Graphical abstract: a single-molecule junction probing the surrounding solvent environment

Nano Letters paper on probing solvent dynamics is now published!

Very pleased to see this work which includes the use of solvent-resistant PVDF coated tips published!

Graphical abstract: methyl carbodithioate (–CS2Me) gold contacts give high conductance, high hit rate, high stability and no deprotection

Angewandte Chemie on Carbodithioate esters published!

The collaborative work between Lancaster and Liverpool on carbodithioate ester contact groups for molecular electronics is now published in Angewandte Chemie!

Researcher in a lab coat and safety glasses working with a batch photoreactor in a fume hood

Royal Society Research Grant Start (1st Dec 23)

I'm very excited to announce the start of my Royal Society Research Grant where I will be using my expertise in optoelectronics to develop an array of bespoke pi-conjugated molecules for use in photocatalysis. The grant has been used to purchase Asynt and Uniqsis batch reactors and a flow reactor for photocatalyst development.

Lancaster Position Start (2nd May 2023)

I am very pleased to announce the start of my long-term academic career at Lancaster University in the Chemistry Department

Chemical structures of two triazatruxene isomers with para- and meta-substituted sulfone groups

Triazatruxene isomer paper

Collaborative work between Durham/Physics department assessing the effects of regioisomerism on the harvesting of triplet states in all-organic pi-conjugated materials

Conductance histograms showing stacked dimers and single molecules in air and THF

Molecular sheath prevents pi-stacking in STM-BJ measurements.

Collaborative work between Liverpool and Zaragoza where molecular sheaths have been used to prevent pi-stacking when measuring single-molecule conductance of organic molecular wires.

Illustration of a single molecule bridging a gold tip and surface inside a liquid droplet

New Molecular Electronics Review

Collaborative efforts with Dr Vezzoli at Liverpool discussing redox active molecules in single-molecule junctions

Title page of the book chapter on manganese-based carbon monoxide-releasing molecules

Shifting the wavelength of photo CO-release

My book chapter on Manganese-based carbon monoxide releasing complexes has been published!

Positions available in the Ward group

Positions will be advertised here when available

If you are an international student looking for a PhD and have a scholarship/ability to pay the full fees, please contact me at j.ward10@lancaster.ac.uk with your CV to discuss possible projects.

Jonathan Ward Chemistry Group Research Site