Starbons are a mesoporous material made from a polysaccharide, either starch from potato waste, alginic acid from kelp, or pectin from orange waste. These are expanded to give a porous network and then carbonised to give a solid sponge with both tunable surface chemistry and pore size. These Starbon materials are incredibly robust in both highly acidic and basic systems. Previous work has shown that these materials can selectively remove metals ions from solution; in particular noble metals such as palladium, platinum, ruthenium and gold. Replacing the current processes in Johnson Matthey’s platinum group metal (PGM) refineries with Starbons would significantly reduce the energy required and waste produced resulting in a more sustainable and lower cost PGM recovery process.
Preliminary data suggests that Pt and Pd adsorption are lower than for Au. In Year 1, the extent to which Pd and Pt are adsorbed will be investigated. Studies will aim to deconvolute possible competition mechanisms, determining the role of pH and how porosity and organic surface functionalities can be optimised to increase uptake. The student will characterise the materials using advanced characterisation techniques in York and at JMTC Sonning. To establish the most suitable application for JM, in Year 2 the student will focus on testing metal uptake from a range of real streams from the JM PGM refinery, using different Starbons. The best material and methodology will be determined, with comparison between monoliths and packed powder columns in terms of metal uptake and recovery via pyrolysis. Having determined the optimal Starbons material for JM metal recovery, in Year 3 Fourier transform voltammetry will be used to map the redox properties of the Starbon, which will reveal if selective electrochemical metal recovery is feasible. At the end of the fourth year we would expect to identify which, if any, of the Starbon materials are commercially viable for PGM recovery across JM. Post-project, there will be a direct route to commercialisation via Starbons Ltd (a spin-out company from the University of York, now legally independent) who are currently focusing on the scale-up of Starbons.
Training
All Chemistry research students have access to our innovative Doctoral Training in Chemistry (iDTC): cohort-based training to support the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills:https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/training/idtc/
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Department of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN Gold Award and is committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. The Department strives to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/ed/.
Your background
You should hold or expect to achieve the equivalent of at least a UK upper second class degree in Chemistry or a related subject. Please check the entry requirements for your country: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/
For more information about the project, click on the supervisor's name above to email the supervisor. For more information about the application process or funding, please click on email institution
This PhD will formally start on 1 October 2021. Induction activities will start on 27 September.
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