Inverse Vulcanized Polymers: Developing new porous materials from inorganic waste and other low cost or renewable resources

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool seeks applications for a post-graduate PhD studentship, starting 1st October 2016 (or soon thereafter). This projects is based in the Liverpool Materials Chemistry group and under the supervision of Dr Tom Hasell.

There is a global drive to produce functional materials from more renewable sources. The vast majority of this research focuses on renewable organic feedstock from biomass. Our research team is working in the underexploited area of inorganic renewables. Sulfur is an excellent example: it is the by-product of petroleum refining. Hence, a huge surplus of elemental sulfur is generated annually. The sheer abundance and the low cost of this element suggests the development of new chemistry and processing methods to allow it to be used as a feedstock for materials that can provide new functions. Porous materials have applications in gas storage, catalysis, and filtration. The last decade has seen considerable interest in new porous materials. However, many of new materials find limited application due to high cost. The PhD project will develop new porous materials from inorganic waste and other low cost or renewable resources. The target is to produce materials with superior properties to existing standards, but at a price that makes them relevant to widespread practical applications – especially filtration of toxic pollutants from water and air flows. There will be scope to engage with a broad range of techniques within the PhD, from organic synthesis to materials characterisation and applications testing. See Hasell et al. Chemical Communications, 2016, DOI: 10.1039/C6CC00938G “Porous inverse vulcanised polymers for mercury capture”.

The successful applicant should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree in the UK, or equivalent qualification, in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or a closely related subject. The candidates should be highly motivated and have good English communication skills.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Tom Hasell by email. Applications should include a full CV, the names of two academic referees, and a cover letter explaining the motivation for seeking this position, and should be sent to Dr. Tom Hasell ([Email Address Removed]), indicating “polymer PhD” in the subject line.