Anthony K. Cheetham

Noted for synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic and hybrid materials designed for broad-ranging applications such as in separation, catalysis, magnetism, and optoelectronics. Work employing neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities demonstrated that unknown structures could be solved ab initio with powders rather than single crystals. These and solid state NMR were used to probe the structures of zeolite catalysts, yielding location, energetics, and dynamics of adsorbed molecules and the nature of active sites. Work on mixed metal oxides, particularly pyrochlore oxides, revealed that such materials could be used to make excellent catalysts for natural gas conversion by partial oxidation and CO₂ reforming. Recent syntheses of nanoporous nickel phosphates and novel phosphors for solid-state lighting have been influential. Current research focuses on inorganic-organic framework materials, yielding discoveries of multiferroic behavior and amorphization in metal-organic frameworks. Recipient, Solid State Chemistry Award of the Royal Society, and Corday-Morgan Medal and Prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry.