Plasma-driven CO2 utilisation: Simultaneous green oxidation and carbonylation chemistry

With projections predicting further increases in CO2 levels in the atmosphere, the means to capture and utilise CO2 will only become increasingly important in the future.

Over the past few decades, processes that reduce CO2 to form synthetic fuels and carboxylation reactions incorporating CO2 into valuable organics have been developed under CO2 capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) protocols. However, many of these processes do not achieve the efficiency required to make them techno-economically viable because CO2 is inert, and processes typically require high temperatures and pressures.

In this project, you will explore a novel method of CO2 utilisation that exploits the non-equilibrium chemistry generated in a gas plasma to drive chemical reactions under mild conditions. In addition, the process also has the potential to improve the techno-economic feasibility of CO2 utilisation by simultaneously producing more than one valuable product and eliminating waste streams. In particular, one could split CO2 and utilize the atomic oxygen as a waste-free terminal oxidant while producing a CO stream to synthesise higher-order hydrocarbons.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Felipe Iza

Secondary supervisor: Benjamin Buckley

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a relevant engineering or science discipline.

An appetite and aptitude for interdisciplinary research is essential, as well as good communication and experimental or computational skills. Multi-disciplinary training will be provided, and students will join a group of researchers working at the interface of experimental and computational plasma physics, electrical engineering, and organic chemistry. A relevant master's degree and/or experience would be an advantage.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering’. Please quote the advertised reference number: UF-FI-2022-2 in your application.

Please submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents listed here. 

Apply now