The Characterisation of Carbon Deposits using Modern Surface Science and Bulk property Analytical Techniques.

The impact of carbon-based deposits on climate change and human health is the driver for legislation, fuel technology change and engineering improvements. The carbon species produced by the internal combustion engine have various impacts on emissions and despite many years of research are still not fully understood. Recent work at Nottingham has shown a paradigm shift in the understanding of injector deposits:

• “Spatially Resolved Molecular Compositions of Insoluble Multilayer Deposits Responsible for Increased Pollution from Internal Combustion Engines” Max K Edney, Joseph S Lamb, Matteo Spanu, Emily F Smith, Elisabeth Steer, Edward Wilmot, Jacqueline Reid, Jim Barker, Morgan R Alexander, Colin E Snape, David J Scurr.... ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 12 (45), 51026-51035, 2020.
• “Internal Diesel Injector Deposit Chemical Speciation and Quantification Using 3D OrbiSIMS and XPS Depth Profiling” Joseph S Lamb, Jim Barker, Edward Wilmot, David J Scurr, Colin E Snape, Emily F Smith, Morgan R Alexander, Jacqueline Reid
• SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility, 2020, 349 364

Which has informed industry mitigator chemistries and thus reduced emissions. The project is a unique opportunity to use very sophisticated surface since techniques such as Orbitrap 3D SIMS and XPS. The study will involve carbon material from across the powertrain vista, road, rail, off road, marine, and standing. The material will be associated with injector deposits, filter deposits to enable emission reduction and soot, especially those associated with respiratory inflammation cardiovascular health problems and premature mortality. The information regarding the structure of these species will be used to invent mitigation strategies for the benefit of all.

We are seeking applicants to start in September 2022.

Candidates should have a first or high 2.1 class honours degree in an engineering or science discipline.

The PhD student will work within the EPSRC Centre for Doctor Training (CDT) “Resilient decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems”.

Please apply to the University of Nottingham.

Informal enquiries may be sent to Dr David Scurr (david.scurr@nottingham.ac.uk). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.