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The University of Bath Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change is inviting applications for the following PhD project which is part of a joint PhD programme between the University of Bath and Monash University in Australia.
This project is one of a number that are in competition for up to two funded studentships.
Home institution: Monash University
Supervisor(s) at Bath: Dr Daniel Scott
Supervisor(s) at Monash: Dr Jie Zhang
The field of electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) has witnessed significant progress in recent years, driven by the urgent need to develop sustainable technologies for mitigating climate change and producing value-added chemicals. Among many catalysts developed so far, molecular catalysts dissolved in an electrolyte medium (i.e. homogeneous catalysts) are highly attractive since they exhibit a well-defined structure and active site, thereby offering opportunities to tailor the catalytic properties for specific CO2 reduction pathways.1 However, they also suffer from several major drawbacks, such as poor stability, low solubility, challenging product separation, and a highly limited product scope (typically low-value products with net electron transferred ≤ 2 per carbon, including oxalate, formate, and carbon monoxide). To overcome these limitations, immobilised molecular catalysts have gained increasing attention in recent years.2 This approach involves the immobilisation of molecular catalysts onto solid supports, such as porous carbon materials. The integration of molecular catalysts with solid supports facilitates efficient charge transfer and minimises aggregation effects, leading to improved selectivity and overall catalytic activity. As a result, more deeply reduced products, such as methanal, have been produced in aqueous electrolyte media, albeit with relatively low activity and product selectivity compared to nanoparticle counterparts.3
While significant strides have been made in this area, in this project Associate Professor Zhang's expertise in the electrochemical reduction of CO24-7 with that of Dr. Scott in designing the synthesis of molecular catalysts8,9 will be integrated to address remaining challenges. These challenges include optimising the design of immobilised molecular catalysts to achieve high selectivity towards deeply reduced products (such as methanol and multi-carbon products), enhancing long-term stability under practical operating conditions, and scaling up these technologies for industrial applications. The project is designed to address these challenges. At Bath University, the student will have the opportunity to design and synthesise new molecular catalysts. The study at Monash University will begin with the development of catalyst immobilisation strategies and the investigation of the influence of microenvironments (e.g., support, binder, and other additives) on product selectivity and catalytic activity using advanced characterisation tools. The knowledge developed will then be applied to the new catalysts synthesised at Bath University. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a highly efficient process for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to deeply reduced products. This multidisciplinary research project holds great promise for advancing the development of efficient and sustainable electrochemical CO2 conversion technologies.
To apply:
We invite applications from Science and Engineering graduates who have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class degree and have a strong interest in Sustainable & Circular Technologies.
You may express an interest in up to three projects in order of preference.
Please submit your application to the Home institution of your preferred project. You should note, however, that you are applying for a joint PhD programme and applications will be processed as such.
If this is your preferred project, please fill out the Monash Expression of Interest form.
Studentship eligibility
Funding for Monash-based projects, such as the one advertised here, is available to candidates of any nationality.
Please see the Monash website for a full list of projects where Monash is the Home institution.
Bath Monash PhD studentships include tuition fee sponsorship and a living allowance (stipend) for up to 42 months maximum. Non-Australian nationals studying in Australia will be required to pay their own Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
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