Cleaner Futures: New materials for catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals

This multi-disciplinary PhD studentship is an exciting opportunity to join a large project involving academic and industrial partners to investigate new materials for the catalytic transformation of waste CO₂ to valuable chemicals. Using a range of experimental approaches, including robotic high-throughput methods, the successful candidate will explore synthesis routes to single metal, alloys or intermetallic nanoparticles on oxide supports from reduction of mixed metal oxides phases; followed by evaluation of their catalytic properties for the conversion of CO₂ to valuable chemicals. The project will combine synthetic chemistry, advanced structural analysis (crystallography), characterisation with sorption and spectroscopic methods and testing of catalytic properties. The successful candidate will also develop skills in teamwork and scientific communication as part of a team of researchers that work closely together.

This is a multi-disciplinary PhD that sits at the interface

between Chemistry, Materials Science and Manufacturing. The student will be

based in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Materials Innovation Factory

(https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/materials-innovation-factory/) at the University

of Liverpool, as part of a larger project involving teams at University of

Oxford and in industry. The MIF is not only home to outstanding University

research facilities but is also the permanent base for many industrial

scientists.            

Wider context: This PhD studentship is part of a large project that aims to provide the scientific foundation that will allow the UK consumer chemical sector to become sustainable and carbon neutral. The consumer chemical industry makes products that go into cosmetics, vitamins and health supplements, soaps, detergents, household chemicals, perfumes and foods. While some steps have already been taken to make this sector more sustainable, the use of virgin petrochemicals and other non-sustainable and/or polluting feedstocks remains prevalent. The project will develop routes to synthesise (and recycle) feedstock chemicals that do not depend on virgin petrochemicals. These new materials will not only need to be sustainable and carbon neutral, they also need to offer high performance, be cost effective to produce in bulk quantities and must not have long-term persistence in the environment after use. This will require new catalysts and catalytic processes.

For any enquiries please e-mail Dr Alexandros Katsoulidis on: a.katsoulidis@liverpool.ac.uk 

To apply please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply and click the 'Ready to apply? Apply online' button. Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: New materials for catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals (Reference CCPR024)