The Particles and Catalysis Research Group (PARTCAT) is a leading (photo(electro))catalysis research group within the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. The PARTCAT group, evolved from the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies, was formed by Associate Professor Judy Raper in 1991, with Professor Mark Wainwright as its initial Director, to develop new technologies for improving the performance of industry.
In 1997, when Professor Judy Raper left UNSW to become the Dean at the University of Sydney, Professor Rose Amal became the Director of the Centre and then Leader of the Group (now). In 2003, the PARTCAT centre became part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials (where Prof Amal was the Director), reflecting the centre’s significant contribution to the early days of nanomaterials research in Australia.
Since 2003, the group has been awarded more than $15 million AUD in research funding and has gained a notable international reputation. The group has many great and diverse research and industrial links with Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, USA, Japan, Korea and many other countries.
Our research specialises in fundamental synthesis, functionalisation, characterisation and application of novel particle and catalyst system. The focus of our research is on the fundamental understanding of particulate systems and processes through basic and applied research.
We apply a holistic approach to the design, discovery and characterisation of new particulate materials, and use them for catalytic and photocatalytic process, environmental remediation, clean energy production and utilisation and health care.
Today PARTCAT supports around 30 postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers working on a variety of research projects, mainly funded through the Australian Research Council Discovery and Linkage Programs. Since its establishment in 1991, PARTCAT has published more than 300 refereed papers and supported and mentored more than 100 honours, master’s and PhD students from more than 10 countries. It is one of the key centre for (photo(electro))catalysis and nanomaterials research in Australia.