Education
Bruce was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and the University of Aberdeen where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1982.
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Peter Bruce
Edit Profilechemist Professor of Materials
Career
Bruce"s primary research interests are in the fields of solid state chemistry and electrochemistry. Particularly solid state ionics, which embraces ionically conducting solids and intercalation compounds. He is interested in the fundamental science of ionically conducting solids (ceramic and polymeric materials) and intercalation compounds, in the synthesis of new materials with new properties or combinations of properties, in understanding these properties and in exploring their applications in new devices, especially energy storage devices such as rechargeable lithium batteries.
Although ionically conducting solids represent the starting point for much of his research, he has extended his interests beyond the confines of this subject alone.
Intercalation Compounds Lithium intercalation into solid hosts is the fundamental mechanism underpinning the operation of electrodes in rechargeable lithium batteries. He seeks to synthesise new lithium intercalation compounds with unusual properties or combinations of properties.
He is especially interested in nanomaterials (eg mesoporous solids and inorganic nanotubes) since the nanoscale can enhance the intercalation properties. Crystallography Structure is the foundation on which much of modern chemistry is based.
In the absence of single crystals it is important to be able to solve structures ab initio from powder X-ray or neutron diffraction data.
Nanomaterials are important but establishing their structure (atomic arrangement) is difficult because the breakdown of long range order due to the confined dimensions negates the use of conventional crystallographic methods. They explored alternative approaches including Debye methods, which relate the atomic arrangement to the diffraction data without recourse to symmetry. All of the above methods allow access to the structures of compounds with a wealth of properties within and beyond materials chemistry.
Polymer electrolytes By combining salts and polyethers such as polyethylene oxide (-CH2-CH2-O-)n, it is possible to synthesise thousands of metal-polyether complexes, alternatively known as polymer electrolytes.
Such materials are co-ordination compounds in the solid state and support ionic conductivity. Foreign 30 years it was believed that ionic conductivity was confined to amorphous polymers above Tg and that crystalline polymers were insulators.
He overturned this view with the discovery of crystalline polymer electrolytes. Lithium-air battery Peter G. Bruce is one of the initiators of the Li-air battery.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery has revolutionised portable electronics, it will be key to electrifying transport and to delivering secure and stable renewable electricity.
However the highest energy density possible for Li-ion batteries is only double that of today and this is insufficient to meet future demands. The Li-air battery can exceed this energy density.
Achievements
Membership
Royal Society.
