Microwave dielectric characterisation of ammines

This exciting, cross-disciplinary project involves the study of new energy storage materials with enhanced properties. The proposed research programme addresses the synthesis and characterization of solid state materials that can store molecular species, specifically ammonia, as molecules and/or ions.

The successful student will spend their time jointly between the Cardiff School of Engineering and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Oxfordshire) and will benefit from the world class facilities of both host institutions.

The characterization of the molecular and ionic species within (and their reaction with) the host solid is essential to determine a full understanding of these systems. Dielectric characterization is a crucial parameter for materials selection as it may be determined by the mobility of molecular and ionic species. For this project it is planned to use microwave techniques for non-invasive dielectric characterisation. Full structural and spectroscopic characterization is also required so that the dielectric properties may be quantified.

Characterization and synthesis studies will be carried out at the ISIS facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site and will require use of the Hydrogen Research Facility (HRF) synthesis and characterization (kinetic, thermogravimetric, spectroscopic) facilities. The project will study Werner complexes of Group 1, Group 2 and transition metal salts. Simple salts will be synthesised at the ISIS facility and then their functional properties characterised. The structural, spectroscopic, thermodynamics and dielectric properties of materials will be investigated under dynamic ammonia flow and the origin of the functional properties of interest will be determined. Specific microwave sensors that permit the dynamic characterisation of dielectric properties at variable temperature, under ammonia flow and during neutron scattering experiments, will be designed and manufactured at Cardiff. Beam time on the GEM and Polaris diffractometers, and the Tosca spectrometer will be planned to simultaneously determine structure/molecular motion and dielectric properties. In parallel, the use of high power microwaves to drive the dissociation of ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen, both as a gas stream and within coordinated salt, will be studied.

Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first class numerate degree or a good 2.1 and/or an appropriate Master’s level qualification (or their equivalent). Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

The supervisory team consists of Prof. Adrian Porch, Dr Jonny Lees from Cardiff University, and Dr Martin Jones from Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.