Electron Microscopy for Catalysts at the National University of Singapore

This PhD project will focus on the study of alloyed catalysts and their evolution under realistic reaction conditions, a critical step in addressing sustainability challenges. Catalysts play a pivotal role in enabling clean energy solutions and resource-efficient chemical processes. For instance, catalysts are essential in hydrogen production via water splitting, and fuel cell technologies, all of which are critical for achieving carbon-neutral energy systems. Specifically, this project would investigate alloyed catalysts for ammonia-based green energy cycle, such as ammonia decomposition and ammonia oxidation.

The project addresses two key challenges: the complex structural nature of alloyed catalysts and their susceptibility to damage under electron microscopy. To unravel these complexities, the successful student will develop and apply advanced in situ electron microscopy methods to monitor catalyst evolution at the atomic scale. The project will leverage advanced microscopy facilities, including aberration-corrected TEM equipped with XEDS, EELS, and 4D-STEM capabilities, to perform high-resolution imaging and analysis. The project will combine experimental techniques and automated data analysis to gain mechanistic insights into alloyed catalyst behavior and deactivation pathways.

About the supervisor: Dr. Qian He holds a Ph.D. from Lehigh University and conducted postdoctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His prolific career includes over 160 publications in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature Catalysis, and Nature Communications. Prof. Qian He has received the Singapore NRF Fellowship, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding young researchers in Singapore. His research focuses on developing advanced microscopy techniques to study catalysts and functional nanomaterials. He has co-authored more than 130 papers with a citation count exceeding 13,000 and an H-index of 60.

About the Lab The research will be conducted at the National University of Singapore (NUS), utilizing the advanced JEOL ARM200CF aberration-corrected electron microscope. This microscope is equipped with:

• XEDS and EELS for chemical and electronic characterization.
• 4D-STEM capabilities for high-resolution imaging.
• A range of in situ holders (e.g., Protochips gas holder, cryo-transfer holder) to study catalysts under real reaction conditions.

At later stage of the PhD the students will be among the first users of the newly established NUS advanced electron microscopes

Funding This fully funded PhD position in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering includes:

• Tuition fees
• A competitive stipend for 4 years

Application Details

• Application Deadline: 15 January 2025
• Requirements:
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about research
• Optimistic mindset and willingness to take on challenges
• TOEFL (IBT) score of at least 85 or IELTS (Academic) score of at least 6.0
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or related disciplines.
• Outstanding GPA ranking is encouraged for international applicants.

Application Link: https://gradapp.nus.edu.sg/portal/app_manage

Contact Information For inquiries, please contact [Email Address Removed].