Gel-based Photoelectrodes for Clean Fuels

A fully funded PhD studentship is available in the research group of and Dr Alex Cowan in the Department of Chemistry and the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy at the University of Liverpool studying polymer photoelectrodes for water splitting
Solar is the most abundant, sustainable, and environmentally friendly source of energy available. A promising approach to reducing humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels is to generate H2 and O2 as alternative fuels by the photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of water. PEC splitting of water using inorganic photoanodes has been studied for over 40 years. Whilst there have been significant advances in efficiency, techno-economic analyses indicate that inorganic PEC water splitting remains economically non-viable. A step-change in either the efficiencies of the photoelectrodes themselves or in the cost of their manufacture is urgently required.

This fully funded PhD studentship is part of a recently funded Leverhulme Trust research project that will demonstrate and develop a new approach - the use of self-assembled gel electrodes. These very low cost materials form large structures that efficiently absorb light and are ideal for the separation and transport of charge. The student grow and test novel photoelectrodes based on gelator molecules prepared by the project partner at the University of Glasgow. The project will provide experience of a range of techniques including photochemistry, electrochemistry and spectroscopy. A key part of the role will be to study the supramolecular structures formed and to use laser based spectroscopies to rationalise efficiency.

Applications are encouraged from highly motivated candidates who have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related subject. The award will pay full tuition fees and a maintenance grant for 3.5 years (currently £ £14,777 p.a.) and it is anticipated that the successful candidate will start in October 2018. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Alex Cowan in the first instance by email - [Email Address Removed]. Formal applications can be made by completing the online postgraduate research application form at http://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying/online.htm.