Development and scale-up of ferroelectric-based photocatalytic processes for degradation of persistent pollutants in water

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition. Please see the URSA webpage for more information.

Project

Did you know that many chemicals humans consume daily end up in water bodies? Moreover, there are chemicals closely related to industries such as clothing, food, printing, etc that pollute the water bodies globally. The residual chemicals affect the endocrine system of animals, generating pathological changes in tissues and impacting the reproduction and development. When humans consume this polluted water regularly, our health is at risk. Do you want to be part of the solution for this big environmental challenge? If so, this project might be suitable for you.

The accumulation of persistent pollutants is a major concern for the planet. A total of 41 pharmaceutical compounds were found in Thames River in a study published in 2019¹ and this is only one example. After being disposed of by humans, those pollutants cannot be removed by traditional wastewater treatment technologies and accumulate in the water bodies, affecting the living creatures in those environments and impacting human life.

These persistent pollutants are difficult to eliminate because their chemical bonds are very strong and stable. High energy agents, like radical molecules, are thus required to react and break those chemical bonds. A sustainable way to produce radicals is by irradiating a heterogeneous (solid) photocatalyst with sunlight². The radiation from the Sun creates electric charges on the surface of the catalyst that can effectively produce radicals.

However, traditional photocatalysts suffer from low photonic efficiency or fast recombination of charges. In order to overcome this problem, in this project, we will create novel ferro/photocatalysts using ferroelectric semiconductors to remove persistent pollutants. Ferroelectrics have been shown to enhance charge carrier separation and reduce electric charges recombination via a built-in electric field due to an inherent spontaneous polarisation of the materials³.

This project will create new materials for ferro/photocatalytic degradation of persistent pollutants, use reaction engineering approaches to select the best reactor configuration and optimise the reaction conditions for the scale-up of the process. We will also encourage the PhD candidate to spend periods abroad to investigate the process under actual conditions.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry or other relevant discipline. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.

Enquiries and Applications

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Antonio Exposito Serrano - [Email Address Removed]

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemical Engineering

When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the URSA studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section. 

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

Keywords

Chemical Engineering; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Nanotechnology; Pollution