About the Project
Nanomaterials are now in our everyday life in many different fields, from automobile, medicine, electronics and more. Nevertheless, there are still classes of materials, whose potential needs to be developed. Among them, the class of metallic ceramics (MCs) has shown promising performance in many technological fields but somehow still lack dedicated research to translate this potential into practical applications. MCs are well-known for their good mechanical properties (hardness, toughness), thermal and chemical resistance, catalytic activity and intriguing electronic structure1. However, these qualities are related to a peculiar atomic arrangement, which gives a final material that is intrinsically difficult to “shape” and control.
The present project aims at circumvent this drawback by MCs nanoparticles functionalization.
Functionalization is essential for the effective utilization of MCs in many fields (e.g. diagnostic and sensing), but also to allow nanoparticles control for selected deposition onto active supports, easy processing and shaping and, last but not least, the formulation of novel hybrids materials.
Alongside the project, after the preparation of selected MCs nanoparticles, surface nanoparticles will be modified to make them compatible with suitable agents, which in turn will improve their properties, making them multifunctional, dispersible in liquid media, mouldable to complex structures and more. The choice of applications will be manifold and will range from electro-catalysis, biomedical diagnostic and magneto-fluids production. Characterization of these material via classical and advanced techniques, including X-rays diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) will be also an essential part of the project.
The ideal candidate should preferably have a physical/colloid chemistry background, experience in synthesis and related research/lab expertise.
Before submitting an online application, please email Dr. Giordano ([Email Address Removed]) your motivation letter describing your scientific backgrounds and your interest in performing this project, alongside your complete CV (including two reference names).
RESEARCH GROUP
Dr. Giordano’s group has a long-lasting experience in Nanomaterial chemistry, design of tailored strategies for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials and hierarchical nanostructures (for more info see Giordano’s web page: http://www.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/staff/cristinagiordano.html). The group is part of the Material Research Institute of the QMUL (http://www.materials.qmul.ac.uk/), which represent the ideal platform for dedicated studies on advanced materials, both in terms of equipment and research expertise. The project will be then developed in a multidisciplinary environment and will also be partly accomplished in collaboration with established national and international research groups.
QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Queen Mary University of London is one of the UK’s leading research universities, committed to improving social justice and achieving the previously unthinkable. A Russell Group university based in east London, we teach across the full disciplinary spectrum. With staff and students from over 160 nationalities, we are one of the most diverse higher education institutions in the world.
Queen Mary University of London is one of the UK’s leading research universities, committed to improving social justice and achieving the previously unthinkable. A Russell Group university based in east London, we teach across the full disciplinary spectrum. With staff and students from over 160 nationalities, we are one of the most diverse higher education institutions in the world.
For further information about Queen Mary, please see: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/about/
BREXIT NOTE
The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting in the 2018-19 and the 2019-20 academic years will continue to be eligible for tuition fee loans and for ’home’ fee status for the duration of their study. Source: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/brexit/
Funding Notes
The studentship is fully funded and available to UK and EU applicants. It will cover tuition fees as well as provide an annual tax-free maintenance allowance for 3 years at Research Councils UK rates (£16,777 in 2018-19)
References
1. Giordano, C. & Antonietti, M.; Synthesis of crystalline metal nitride and metal carbide nanostructures by sol–gel chemistry; Nano Today 6, 366–380 (2011).