PhD in Chemistry - Exploring the Efficiency and Sustainability of Green Hydrogen Production: Utilizing Solid State Electrocatalysts and 3D printed cells in Water Electrolysis

Green energy is great way to power our lives, but what if the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining? What should we do when supply of renewable electricity exceeds demand?

In the ElectroChemistry On Solids (ECOS) group we carry out the synthesis of solid state electrocatalysts and employ them in electrochemical systems to study processes that could help with the storage of the renewable electricity as fuels. The PhD scholarship is aimed at focusing on one of such processes: water electrolysis. It could be carried out in a device called electrolyser and if powered by renewable electricity source, such a device could generate hydrogen from water.

Keen to make green hydrogen candidates are invited to apply for a 3.5 year PhD fully funded PhD (UK candidates) at the School of Chemistry, the University of Glasgow. If successful you will join ECOS group to work on design and development of optimised systems for the electrochemical water splitting from the 1^st of October 2023. The aim is to capitalize on our library of solid state electrocatalyst (including thin films) and implement them in finding efficient ways to generate hydrogen using commercial and in-house 3D printed cells. PhD scholar will also investigate how to make the water oxidation reaction more efficient as well as exploring the opportunities for implementing membraneless electrolysers (that do not rely on the water purity of the water source) to enable the electrolysis of seawater.

The ideal candidate will hold (or expect to hold) a 1^st or upper 2^nd class MSc/MChem/BSc or equivalent, have an experience in inorganic materials synthesis or solid state chemistry and methods of characterisations of solids (XRD, SEM, Raman/IR), some basic knowledge of electrochemistry or chemical vapour deposition and be keen to learn (or already know) how to create models through additive manufacturing process.

Further information: More information about ECOS group can be found at:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/chemistry/staff/alexeyganin

To learn more about the scope of the research, contact Dr Alex Ganin directly (alexey.ganin@glasgow.ac.uk) including a current CV before applying on the university website.

Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.