Chlorine Dioxide Innovations: An investigation of new green chemistry methods for the commercially-important redox interconversion of chlorine oxides in aqueous solution

The University of Liverpool (UoL) and Feedwater are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified individual to undertake a three year doctoral research programme.

This project concerns the investigation of new green chemistry methods for the commercially-important redox interconversion of chlorine oxides in aqueous solution, and will involve a cross-disciplinary combination of main group chemistry, dynamic electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. The aqueous redox chemistry of chlorine oxide species is complex. The project will involve the development of selective electrocatalytic approaches to controlled formation of specific chlorine oxides. This is a challenging target, but it is important for the application of these compounds as safe and clean oxidants for water treatment. You will investigate both solid-state inorganic materials (typically, metal oxide-coated surfaces) and molecular electrocatalyst-modified electrode surfaces (e.g. metal-porphyrins on carbon surfaces) for this chemistry. Additionally, reaction of chlorine oxyanions with reductants in solution will also be investigated. Physical techniques to be employed will include cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry and in situ infrared spectroscopy.

Chlorine dioxide chemistry is complex and although over several years the company has tried to develop means to extend the formulation shelf-life, its own limited technical expertise and analytical and development facilities have rendered these efforts unsuccessful. Improvements in the technology meeting these targets would increase marketability of chlorine dioxide as a room-temperature alternative to high-temperature methods of sterilisation, with consequent GHG emission savings.

The project would be a collaboration between the company and the university to explore both the chemistry of the current process, and other potential means of generating the unstable chlorine dioxide precursor, that will enable the company to both improve its current product and develop other novel means of producing chlorine dioxide that the company can commercialise.

This PhD is one of 20 industry-led collaborative R&D projects from the Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory. The aim of the project is for you to work toward a PhD at the University of Liverpool through delivering ‘real – life’ solutions to industry. The Centre brings together the expertise, resources and global contacts of University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moore’s University and Lancaster University to create innovative low carbon goods, processes and services developed through collaborative R&D partnerships between local companies in the Liverpool City Region and local universities.

All LCEI PhD projects have been developed by SMEs contacting the University for assistance in R&D where the company does not have internal expertise, resource or facilities to carry out the research. This will give you a strong advantage in entering a competitive jobs market in both the academic and commercial sectors.