Design and development of reliable electrode for high-performance hydrogen production under fluctuating power supply (Advert Reference: RDFC21-R4/EE/MCE/XUBen)

A key priority for the UK economy is the development of high-value and specialist manufacturing, especially in renewable energy, which strategically aligns to the UK’s commitment to the Net Zero, underpinned by research that is inherently multidisciplinary and disruptive. Electrolysis of water and the production of hydrogen could be a key element in future renewable energy economy providing a solution to the energy storage challenge. However, current technologies of water electrolysis are of either low efficiency or high cost, limited by multiple factors such as electrode failure, expensive catalysts, unstable power supply. By far, considerable effects have been paid with focus on scoping high performance electrode materials with low cost and constructing enhanced electrochemical water splitting devices. The electrolysis cell supported by micro-structural electrodes are particularly favourable since they avoid complicated fabrication and significant system costs. However, recent analysis has raised concerns that fluctuating power supply from renewable energy will accelerate the decay of the electrode. A novel electrochemical water splitting cell with enhanced electrode will enable a high level controllability to the process with capability to produce high quality hydrogen. 

This project aims to design and develop a reliable electrode technology for high-performance hydrogen production under fluctuating power supply, to achieve higher operating efficiency and sustainability. Particular objectives are:

1.    To scope and survey the electrode and water splitting device for hydrogen production

2.    To experimentally design and assess the electrode performance under fluctuating power supply

3.    To develop a model to understand the working principle of electrode performance under fluctuating power supply

4.    To assess the overall system efficiency by considering the life cycle analysis

Key skills used in research work packages are:  

1. Electrochemistry, Hydrogen energy synthesis  

2. Materials characterisation skills: SEM, AFM, Electrical testing Probe station, Profilometer, Ellipsometry, fluorescence microscopy, Laser confocal scanning microscopy  

3. Micro-engineering: Lithography, soft-lithography, RIE, CVDs, printing, packaging, integration, SAM, anodization/oxidation,  

4. Numerical/FEA simulation (Matlab, ABAQUS and/or Ansys, etc) 

The Principal Supervisor for this project is Professor Ben Xu.

Please note eligibility requirement:

·      Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.

·      Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

·      Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere. 

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/  

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDFC21-R4/ EE/MCE/XuBen) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 29 June 2022

Start Date: 1 October 2022

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.