Department: Chemistry
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU) is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. The start date is 1st October 2022.
The Li-ion battery is the technology of choice for energy storage in portable electronic devices. However, their application is limited by their use of flammable liquid electrolytes, which pose serious safety concerns. As a result, there is a push towards all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, there are challenges associated with developing solid electrolytes, as they must exhibit sufficiently high ionic conductivities, in addition to mechanical flexibility and chemical stability. Hybrid or composite polymer-inorganic electrolytes are one possible solution as they bring together the favourable properties of each.
This project aims to design, synthesise and characterise new recyclable hybrid solid electrolytes for ASSBs based on poly(acetals). Newly developed controlled cationic ring-opening polymerisation methods will be explored to determine the most suitable poly(acetals). Different inorganic ceramics will also be evaluated to determine the optimal poly(acetals):ceramic combination. We will explore their structure-property relationships, including their ion transport capabilities and mechanisms, using a combination of conventional and in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy, in conjunction with impedance measurements, muon spin relaxation spectroscopy studies and density functional theory calculations. The performance of the poly(acetal) hybrid electrolytes prepared will be evaluated relative to current PEO-based electrolytes to determine their standing within the community of solid electrolytes.
The project is supervised by Dr Karen Johnston and Dr Clare Mahon. For informal enquiries please contact [Email Address Removed].
The application closing date is 6th February 2022 and interviews will take place later in the month. Please note that interviews will be online rather than in person due to COVID-19.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Our eligibility requirements are:
• 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.
• If required, an IELTS score of 6.5 with no component under 6.0.
· Two satisfactory academic references.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Durham or elsewhere.
You must apply through the University’s online application portal - Home · Application Portal (microsoftcrmportals.com)
- Create an account and click ‘Postgraduate Apply’ on the top ribbon.
- Search for ‘EPSRC CDT’ in Course and select Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (EPSRC CDT) starting in 2022/23.
- Complete the application form, ensuring the following:
- On the funding tab select ‘yes’ you are applying for a scholarship, select ‘Other’, write RENU/Johnston in the name of the scholarship, and select 1st October 2022 as the start date. No scholarship documents are required.
- On the project course details tab write RENU/Johnston in Field of Study.
- Please include an application letter summarising your motivation and suitability for the project.
- Please ensure you follow all of these steps to ensure your application is considered.
Funding notes
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International students, and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2020/21 full time study, this was £15,609 pa) and full tuition fees. Also, significant additional funding is included to cover research costs and local, national and international travel such as conferences and exchanges. Note that these studentships will be awarded on a competitive basis between projects. We anticipate that up to 5 awards will be made for projects hosted at Durham.
Please note there are a limited number of full international scholarships available. Further information about how EPSRC classifies international fee status please see Annex B of UKRI-170821-TrainingGrantTermsConditionsGuidance-Aug2021.pdf
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