Improved Understanding of Photocatalysts for Selective Organic Transformations

There is a clear need to develop processes that minimise the consumption of limited energy resources and reduce waste detrimental to the environment. Catalysis plays a central role for reducing waste and energy consumption and consequently is used in ca. 90% of industrial chemical products. Nevertheless, there is significant scope to develop new catalysis and apply energy more directly than simply heating, for example using solar energy. The focus of this proposal is heterogeneous photocatalysis, which would not only provide the benefits inherent to heterogeneous processes, including easy catalyst separation, but also exploit an essentially limitless supply of free energy.

The proposed research aims to significantly improve our understanding of photocatalytic materials. Many photocatalysts and photocatalytic reactions are known but there are few guiding principles to predict catalytic activity and selectivity. We aim to use a combination of analytic methods (electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance and photoelectrochemical methods) to correlate structural and photophysical properties with catalytic behaviour. Modification of photocatalytic materials will be studied to identify the key structural elements that control catalytic behaviour. Ultimately the proposed research will provide a basis for predictive theoretical models to target photocatalyst modifications for selective catalysis.

Student training will include materials synthesis, nanoparticle characterisation, photochemistry, and simple synthetic organic chemistry. There is scope to develop expertise in one or more areas of advanced techniques including structural and spectroscopic methods such as electron microscopy and EPR. Some specialist techniques will also be undertaken in collaboration. This project is also part of a wider collaboration with the department of physics which will provide additional training and networking opportunities, potentially including industrial experience.

This project would be suitable for a student with a background in either chemistry or materials science.

Related references
Mitchell, RW; Brydson, R and Douthwaite, RE. Enhancement of Hydrogen Production Using Photoactive Nanoparticles on a Photochemically Inert Photonic Macroporous Support, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2015, 17, 493-499.

Kumar, S; Parlett, CMA; Jowett, DV; Douthwaite, RE; Cockett, MR and Lee, AF. Facile synthesis of hierarchical Cu2O nanocubes as visible light photocatalysts. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2016, 189, 226-232.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to take place at the University of York on Wednesday 15 February 2017. Candidates will be asked to give a 5 minute presentation as part of their interview by an academic panel. Applicants shortlisted for interview will be notified by 1 February 2017. All research students follow our innovative Doctoral Training in Chemistry (iDTC): cohort-based training to support the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills
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