Chemical Sciences

Brett Paull

Brett Paull
B.Sc., Ph.D. (University of Plymouth)
Associate Professor
Director of the Irish Separations Science Cluster

Environmental, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Our research is based within the fields of analytical, bioanalytical and environmental chemistry; specifically in the development and application of the separation sciences, including liquid chromatographic

based analysis, particularly fundamental (new materials and detection techniques) and applied aspects of ion chromatography (IC), capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and coupled techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Typical research interests include, novel chromatographic stationary phase materials (including functional polymeric monoliths), micro-fluidic based and capillary scale chromatographic systems, automated and portable chromatography for environmental monitoring, residue analysis in complex systems, chromatographic solutions for bioprocess control, modelling and optimisation techniques in chromatography.

The research ethos within my group is strongly based upon team effort. The research group is based within modern NCSR laboratories and has access to ‘state of the art’ chromatographic, mass

spectrometric and micro-fluidic fabrication equipment. A supportive and managed approach to postgraduate research is provided within the group, with regular planning and progress reviews. Students are encouraged and supported to present their work both at conferences and in journal publications, and post-graduate completion times are below the School and Faculty average. Potential students are advised to arrange a visit for an informal discussion on potential research projects. Some recent publications for 2008 from the research group are listed below.

Recent Publications

Wasim Bashir, Frank McGovern, Phillip O’ Brien, Margaret Ryan, Liam Burke and Brett Paull “Chemical trends in background air quality and the ionic composition of precipitation for the period 1980-2004 from samples collected at Valentia Observatory, Co. Kerry, Ireland”, Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2008, 10, 730–738.
Ekaterina P. Nesterenko, Pavel N. Nesterenko and Brett Paull, “Anion-exchange chromatography on short reversed-phase columns modified with amphoteric (N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)alcanoates”, Journal of Chromatography A, 2008, 1179, 60-70.
Eoin Gillespie, Damian Connolly, Pavel N. Nesterenko and Brett Paull, “Accurate non-invasive determination of pK a of surface functionalised ion exchange monoliths using capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection”, The Analyst, 2008, 133 , 874-876 .
Leon Barron, Martina O’Toole, Dermot Diamond, Pavel N. Nesterenko and Brett Paull, “Separation of transition metals on a polygrafted iminodiacetic acid functionalised column with post-column reaction detection utilising a paired emitter-detector diode system”, Journal of Chromatography A, 2008, 1213, 31-36.
Ekaterina P. Nesterenko, Pavel N. Nesterenko and Brett Paull, “Simultaneous separation of inorganic anions and metal- citrate complexes on a zwitterionic stationary phase with on-column complexation”, Journal of Chromatography A, 2008, 1213, 62-69.