Katie Morton

Katie's research involves studying the behaviour of model lignin derived compounds with acidic zeolite catalysts with the wider view of transforming lignin into more valuable commodity chemicals, as a more sustainable alternative to crude oil. So far, inelastic (INS) and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) techniques combined with computational techniques (both classical and those based on quantum mechanics) have been used to probe the behaviour of cresol isomers (simplified model lignin monomers) within the zeolites HY, HBEA and HZSM5. By considering how these parameters vary with zeolite topology and acid site density, the rates and selectivity’s of the conversion of lignin derivatives can be properly understood and later controlled.