Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Focus
Professor in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, Director of Research. I joined Queen's University Belfast, UK, as a lecturer on an RCUK fellowship in 2008 and became a Senior Lecturer in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry in 2016. Since 2018, I'm the Director of Research. In 2019, I became full professor (Chair in Inorganic Chemistry). I'm also co-founder and director of QUB spin-out company Green Lizard Technologies Ltd., which focusses on delivering technological solutions in the sustainable and clean energy sector. I'm a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. My research group is focussed on ionic liquids, energy storage and sustainable metal separation.
Research Interests
Ionothermal Synthesis
New Pathways to Advanced Functional Materials and Nanomaterials
Ionic liquids are expanding their use to new areas such as materials chemistry and crystal engineering. Crystallisation strategies using ionic liquids are quite different from conventional organic solvents. Ionic liquids are not only replacing conventional solvents, but are also able to act as neutral solvents, templates, reactants or charge compensating species. This opens up alternative synthetic and crystallization pathways – the synthesis in low-melting salts can be seen in analogy to solid-state synthesis using a salt as a flux. However, the temperatures for ionothermal synthesis are significantly lower ranging from room temperature up to ca. 500 K, which enables new possibilities for a “gentle” solid state synthesis of inorganic compounds, for example with unusual coordination modes, low oxidation states or stabilisation of metastable compounds.
Extraction and Separation of Critical Metals
Developing More Sustainable Separation Processes for Recycling and Urban Mining
Several metals belong to the group of critical raw materials which have a high risk in the security of supply and economic importance. Rare earth metals, for example, are widespread worldwide, but rarely accumulate in concentrations high enough for economic mining; at the same time, they have widespread usage e.g. in electronics, displays, magnets in hybrid cars and windmills, superconductors, in batteries and as catalysts. Recycling rates for many critical metals are currently low and involve challenging separation processes using strong acids, harsh conditions and volatile solvents. Ionic liquids have a great potential as alternative and more environmentally benign solvents for the selective rare and precious high-tech metal extraction, separation and processing. We are exploring and evaluating the utilisation of novel functionalised ionic liquids as alternative and environmentally benign separation media, e.g. to efficiently do “urban mining” utilising electronic metal scrap as an industrial waste stream.
Energy Storage
Improving Electrolytes for Efficient Redox Flow Batteries
As the demand for and implementation of renewable energy grows, so too does demand for solutions which can store this energy in order to regulate when it is used. Redox Flow Batteries are fast becoming a preferred choice for suppliers, especially for sources of renewable energies. Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries have advantages over other systems due to their scalability, lifespan, the immediate energy release, excellent charge retention (up to 1 year), and the ability to discharge 100% with no damage. A major cost factor and limitation for the next generation of redox-flow batteries based on vanadium is the electrolyte, which is often the issue for the lower energy densities of VRBs in comparison to other battery types. Our research into new formulation of electrolytes allows us to significantly improved energy densities, that is currently one of the limitations of these redox-flow battery systems. These electrolytes have also advantages in terms of their low flammability and electrochemical long-term stability.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R3554QLL: Development of a Robust, highly Efficient, Affordable energy storage systeM (DREAM)
Nockemann, P. (PI), Bailey, J. (CoI), Glover, S. (CoI), Istrate, O. (CoI) & Smyth, B. (CoI)
17/01/2024 → …
Project: Research
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R1326CCE: 3D-Printed Zero-Gap Cells for Enhanced All-Iron Redox Flow Battery Storage
Nockemann, P. (PI), Glover, S. (CoI) & Istrate, O. (CoI)
16/10/2023 → 30/01/2024
Project: Research
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R1949QLL: New Technology for the Isolation and Production of Biopolymers and Proteins: the Use of Hydrophobic
Nockemann, P. (PI), Blesic, M. (CoI) & Swadzba-Kwasny, G. (CoI)
07/09/2018 → 31/10/2019
Project: Research
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S2434CHM: KTP/ Kilwaughter Minerals Limited
Bell, S. (CoI) & Nockemann, P. (CoI)
01/08/2018 → 31/12/2020
Project: ktp
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S2434MAS: KTP/ Kilwaughter Minerals Limited
Bell, S. (CoI) & Nockemann, P. (CoI)
02/07/2018 → 30/06/2020
Project: ktp
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All-iron redox flow battery in flow-through and flow-over set-ups: the critical role of cell configuration
Bailey, J. J., Pahlevaninezhad, M., Gunaratne, H. Q. N., O’Connor, H., Thompson, K., Sharda, P., Kavanagh, P., Istrate, O. M., Glover, S., Klusener, P. A. A., Roberts, E. P. L. & Nockemann, P., Jun 2024, In: Energy Advances. 3, 6, p. 1329-1341 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile39 Downloads (Pure) -
Elucidating the iron-based ionic liquid [C4py][FeCl4]: structural insights and potential for nonaqueous redox flow batteries
Balischewski, C., Bhattacharyya, B., Bailey, J. J., Place, S. D., Nockemann, P., Kim, J., Wedel, A., Gahlaut, S., Bald, I., Li, W., Garcia, Y., Sperlich, E., Günter, C., Kelling, A. & Taubert, A., 18 Mar 2024, In: Advanced Functional Materials. 34, 12, 10 p., 2311571.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)36 Downloads (Pure) -
Advancing mesoporous carbon synthesis for supercapacitors: a systematic investigation of cross-linking agent effects on pore structure and functionality †
Song, Y., Zhang, X., Klusener, P. A. A. & Nockemann, P., 20 Nov 2023, (Early online date) In: Nanoscale.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile33 Downloads (Pure) -
Designing dimeric lanthanide(III)‐containing ionic liquids
McCourt, É., Esien, K., Zhenyu, L., Felton, S. & Nockemann, P., 06 Feb 2023, In: Angewandte Chemie. 62, 7, 5 p., e201809334.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)340 Downloads (Pure) -
Hybrid thermal runaway mitigation strategy for lithium-ion batteries in automotive applications: evaluating the role of phase change materials
McAreavey, D., Stocker, R., Braglia, M., Nockemann, P., Istrate, O. & Glover, S., 24 May 2023, Proceedings of the Japan Society of Automotive Engineers Annual Congress (Spring), JSAE 2023. Japan Society of Automotive Engineers, 8 p. 20235081. (JSAE Annual Congress Proceedings).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
Prizes
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AkzoNobel Imagine Chemistry Competition with Green Lizard Technologies Ltd.
Nockemann, Peter (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Don Nicklin medal - team award with QUILL
Nockemann, Peter (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Nockemann, Peter (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Election to learned society
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IChemE Award in the category Food & Drink
Nockemann, Peter (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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IChemE Award in the category “Start-Up Business of the Year” with Green Lizard Technologies Ltd.
Nockemann, Peter (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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QUILL25
Moura, L. (Member of the organising committee), Bailey, J. (Member of the organising committee), Swadzba-Kwasny, G. (Member of the organising committee), Holbrey, J. (Member of the organising committee), Nockemann, P. (Member of the organising committee) & Klusener, P. A. A. (Member of the organising committee)
02 Sept 2024 → 03 Sept 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Science at Queens
Peter Nockemann (Presenter)
22 Feb 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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Progress and Challenges in Cell Design, Electrolyte Development and Scale-up, for an All Aqueous, All-Ferrous Redox Flow Battery
Peter Nockemann (Invited speaker)
19 Sept 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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The International Flow Battery Forum
Hugh O'Connor (Presenter), Josh Bailey (Participant), Oana Istrate (Contributor), Peter A. A. Klusener (Participant), Peter Nockemann (Contributor) & Stephen Glover (Contributor)
27 Jun 2023 → 29 Jun 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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QUB Open Day
Peter Nockemann (Presenter)
10 Jun 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
Press/Media
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Using Ionic Liquids in the Transition To Renewable Energies
01/01/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Ionic Rare Earths Magnet Recycling Plant ready to run 24/7 from January 2024
21/12/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Ionic Rare Earths-Tochter beauftragt Recyclinganlagen-Projektstudie mit Zuschuss Großbritanniens
07/12/2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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From Chemistry to Circular economy | Research to Reality
29/10/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Ionic Rare Earths ties with Ford in Belfast magnet recycling venture
12/09/2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research