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The problem to be solved: The aim is to develop, characterise and optimise a novel green process technology for making homogeneously catalysed reactions more effective, sustainable and environmentally compatible. This should enable a step change in reaction control and environmental benefit for a range of industries and applications – giving them more precise rate, yield and product selectivity control than ever before. This is needed, since the desired product spectrum and yield from homogeneously reactions is sometimes difficult to achieve sustainably and efficiently (if at all). For example, a high yield of intermediate sized molecules in depolymerisations by catalytic and/or photocatalytic oxidations is a challenge to obtain with conventional reaction and reactor controls. Reactions are also sometimes product inhibited, with a need to continuously remove the desired product in order to maintain high selectivity, conversion and yield. In many catalytic reactions, more efficient and greener continuous processing is also not possible, as the catalyst also cannot be easily separated or retained within the reactor.
The solution: A membrane reactor will be used to overcome all of these limitations. If the reactants undergo an order of magnitude change in size in the reaction, ionize, or change polarity, and an appropriately sized and charged homogeneous catalyst is used, then one or more membranes can be coupled to the reactor to selectively retain and/or recirculate both the catalyst and any insufficiently reacted molecules in the reactor. The membrane is chosen so that the (homogeneous) catalysts and insufficiently reacted molecules cannot permeate through the membrane, whilst the desired products are obtained (pure) in the permeate. Reaction rate is also possibly increased by synergistic rate acceleration. However, current conventional membrane reactors are not ideal for this, as ultimately more control over this separation and therefore reaction is desired. For example, we may wish to tune the selectivity/product spectrum during operation or tune performance with operating condition changes.
The project novelty: Conventional membrane reactors cannot currently be tuned, as traditional membrane separations are limited to the fixed selectivity and pore size of their constituent polymers. This project will totally change this. We will be investigating the use of unique conducting polymer membranes that can externally tuned to different pore sizes and/or molecular selectivity using an applied potential. This will enable us to externally control and change the product spectrum from the catalysed reaction using the membrane, thereby giving an additional method of controlling and tuning a range of different reactions, starting with a simple homogenously catalysed photocatalytic depolymerisation oxidation reaction. This project builds on extensive separation and reaction engineering knowledge, materials and techniques developed by the Patterson research group.
Funding Notes:
This will cover the home rate University tuition fees for up to three years with a stipend of £13,600 (tax free) in the first year with an increase in years 2 and 3. This is available for students with British citizenship, UK Settled status, or who are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for three years prior to grant start. Otherwise, only University tuition fees can be covered for EU citizens. Candidates should be expecting, or already holding, a first class or upper second class degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related subject.