Exploring New 2D materials for Energy Applications

The discovery of graphene has initiated a new field of research investigating the novel electronic and optical properties of different materials when they are reduced to few layer atomic sheets [1-5]. New 2D materials are being discovered all the time; we have recently discovered that layered misfit compounds may offer order of magnitude improvement in the electrochemical performance [6]. Such materials have huge potential for improved battery performance and supercapacitor applications. Such improvements are essential if we are to cope with the increasing energy demands of today’s society.

In this CASE award studentship you will work closely with the National Physcial Laboratory to study a range of new 2D materials that have recently been isolated in Manchester. You will assess their performance and long term stability, with the aim to harness their exciting properties for energy applications. You will be primarily involved in discovering structure-property relationships using cutting edge atomic resolution imaging and elemental analysis. The project will benefit from being one of only a few PhD students able to use the £3M Titan ChemiSTEM scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), which has unique in situ capabilities. You will also have access to the world leading clean room facilities in the National Graphene Institute and characterization capabilities at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). You will have opportunities to complete research placements abroad, attend international conferences and to collaborate with industrial scientists at NPL.

The project is available for 3.5 years starting from ~September 2017. Ideally, applicants should have, or expect to achieve, First Class or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or Material Science.