Dr Agnieszka Brandt-Talbot

Summary

Dr Agi Brandt-Talbot is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London and leads the Sustainable Carbon Solutions research team.

She has authored 36 scientific articles with more than 5600 citations and 5 patents. Dr Brandt-Talbot is interested in creating bio-derived materials and chemicals from sustainable biomass and the application of novel tailor-made solvents for more sustainable use of carbon in our economy.

Dr Brandt-Talbot was awarded Imperial's President's Award of Excellence for Outstanding Early Career Researcher in 2015, the Department of Chemical Engineering's Sir William Wakeham Award in 2016, and a 2017 Imperial College Research Fellowship which she took up in the Department of Chemistry. She is a co-founderof start-up company Lixea.

Dr Brandt-Talbot received a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an MSc in Chemistry from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. She joined Imperial College for her PhD studies in the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences and was a Research Associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering. She has also been the Business Manager of start-up company Econic Technologies. She is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and the Treasurer of the RSC Molten Salts and Ionic Liquids Discussion Group.

Research Synopsis

The chemical industry has come to rely on the use of fossil resources as its primary source of energy and raw material. The petrochemical industry converts 5-10% of the extracted oil and gas into myriads of useful products, for example, packaging, furniture, clothing and medicines. However, global warming caused by increases in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations means that making chemicals from fossil fuels is unsustainable and must be phased out. In addition, our material flows are mostly linear and wasteful, with the many carbon-based chemicals and materials used only once before being discarded.

We hence need to develop chemical processes that utilise renewable feedstocks and that circulate carbon-based materials in our economy. Many chemical processes use liquids (solvents) for chemical processes, to accelerate reactions and help with separations. 

The Green Carbon Solutions Lab develops key solutions by applying a special classes of designed solvents, called ionic liquids, in the refining of wood waste and in circular economy processes. We design the ionic liquids for optimal functionality, cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability, depending on the application. Particular interests are the production of low-cost renewable carbon fibres from lignin, materials from plant protein and cellulose films, and the application of ILs in plastic recycling, such as the chemical recycling of polyester and multi-layer packaging.

Working with us

PhD studentships

I can currently support outstanding candidates via the President's scholarship 2025 program. You need top provide 10% academic performance during your UG and/or Masters degree(s), evidence of research potential and excellent written and interpersonal skills, and provide clear motivation for our specific field of research. Topics of interest are sustainable carbon fibres, chemical recycling of plastics, advanced lignin analysis and plant protein purification.

Please note that the Chemistry Department requires proof of full funding of tuition fees (home or overseas depending on their immigration status) to accept PhD students who want to join with non-Imperial funding. 

Postdoctoral Fellowships

There are no PDRA positions available in my group at the moment.

Post-PhD researchers with outstanding track record, excellent project planning and relevant topics can be supported for externally funded fellowships and scholarships.

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

More Publications