Innovative Tandem Catalysis for Clean Chemical Synthesis

Catalysis plays a critical role in modern society, where 90% of all chemical processes involve heterogeneous catalysts. Nevertheless, heterogeneous and biological catalysis is still considered as one of the top 24 challenges in chemistry when asking “what’s next” in 2015. This project, related to such a fundamental challenge, proposes the innovative use of heterogeneous catalysts (supported metals, photo-/electro- catalysts) in tandem with biotransformation for sustainable chemical processes.

Example applications may include using renewable biomass or CO2 as feedstock for chemical production and the synthesis of chiral compounds as drug intermediates; through the development of hybrid (heterogeneous, photo-, electro- and/or enzymatic) catalytic processes.

The project will involve catalyst synthesis, characterisation and testing; reaction kinetics/thermodynamics, mechanism investigation and coupling and integration of reactions. Theoretical calculations may also be considered.

The successful candidate should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering.

Knowledge of: Heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis, reaction engineering, physical chemistry, catalyst characterisation, kinetic/thermodynamic analysis.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply. You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing.

NOTE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE SUPERVISOR AND EXACT PROJECT TITLE YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ON THE APPLICATION FORM.

Informal inquiries can be made to Dr X Wang ([Email Address Removed]) with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries should be directed to the Postgraduate Research School ([Email Address Removed]).