This multi-disciplinary PhD studentship is an exciting opportunity to join a large project involving academic and industrial partners to develop new materials as supports for Fischer Tropsch and CO2 utilisation catalysts. Using a range of experimental approaches, including robotic high-throughput methods and modern informatics methods, the successful candidate will explore routes to high surface area porous metal borides, metal nitrides and other related materials onto which various catalyst nanoparticles can be deposited. The project will combine synthetic chemistry, advanced structural analysis (crystallography) and characterisation with sorption and spectroscopic methods. The successful candidate will also develop skills in teamwork and scientific communication as part of a team that work closely together.
This is a multi-disciplinary PhD that sits at the interface between Chemistry, Materials Science and Manufacturing. The student will be based in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Materials Innovation Factory (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/materials-innovation-factory/) at the University of Liverpool, as part of a larger project involving teams at University of Oxford and in industry. The MIF is not only home to outstanding University research facilities but is also the permanent base for many industrial scientists.
Wider context: This PhD studentship is part of a large project that aims to provide the scientific foundation that will allow the UK consumer chemical sector to become sustainable and carbon neutral. The consumer chemical industry makes products that go into cosmetics, vitamins and health supplements, soaps, detergents, household chemicals, perfumes and foods. While some steps have already been taken to make this sector more sustainable, the use of virgin petrochemicals and other non-sustainable and/or polluting feedstocks remains prevalent. The project will develop routes to synthesise (and recycle) feedstock chemicals that do not depend on virgin petrochemicals. These new materials will not only need to be sustainable and carbon neutral, they also need to offer high performance, be cost effective to produce in bulk quantities and must not have long-term persistence in the environment after use. This will require new catalysts and catalytic processes.
For any enquires please e-mail Dr Troy Manning on: [Email Address Removed]
To apply please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/ Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: New porous materials for CO2 Catalysis (Reference CCPR025).
Continue with Facebook
