Developing a fundamental understanding of ionic liquid driven metal corrosion

Ionic liquids show excellent promise as safer alternatives to volatile organic solvents. While their solvent properties and chemical activity have been extensively studied, little attention has been given to basic engineering concerns, including materials of construction for process vessels. As these novel solvents approach commercialization, such considerations become increasingly urgent. This work will develop an understanding of the stability of metals in the presence of ionic liquids (ILs). At the laboratory scale, ILs are contained using glass vessels due to the non-reactive behaviour and low pressures required. However, the scale-up of IL production is imminent, for applications ranging from small-scale pharmaceutical production to large-scale biomass pre-treatment. Under industrial conditions glass is not a viable infrastructure material and an alternative corrosion protection mechanism must be sought, where metals are generally preferable. Traditionally, an industrial approach to minimizing corrosion could include the use of corrosion inhibitors or coatings. Certain polymer and Si-based coatings have shown some corrosion protection. The unknown coating lifetime, however, limits their use as a viable solution for industrial asset management. Furthermore, failure to understand the underlying corrosion risk will have disastrous consequences.

This project will be extensively experimental where a range of approaches will be used to investigate the interactive behaviours between metal substrates and ILs. This includes traditional immersion testing with a comprehensive surface characterization, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and more. Some synthesis of ILs will be required (in collaboration with Dr. Jason Hallett’s group) and some modelling may be used to complement the experimental work.

This four-year PhD studentship project is funded by the Royal Society (for a UK/EU student), for which annual reporting will be required. Applicants should have a degree (first or upper second, or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline. Research experience is desirable, but not essential. The project will commence no later than October 1, 2018 (earlier start dates are acceptable).

Please email your CV to [Email Address Removed].