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Scholarships in water studies/ research

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PhD Scholarship: New electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysers prepared by electrospinning

03 Jul 2016
Offered by: Queen Mary University
Scholarship funds: PhD program
Apply deadline: 17 Jul 2016
Keywords: membrane technology, water treatment

Scholarship description

New nanostructured hybrid materials for energy applications

This PhD project aims to develop hybrid energy materials with new nanoarchitectures as alternative efficient low-cost electrocatalysts to replace expensive noble metals in energy applications.

The search for green alternative sources of energy is of great importance in order to battle increasing greenhouse gases and global warming, and to meet the UK’s 2050 climate change targets. Some of these alternatives include fuel cells, solar cells, lithium-ion batteries and water electrolysers. The high cost of the noble metal catalysts, essential for the efficient performance of these devices, is one of the major drawbacks to their development in the current market. Although much research has been directed towards finding replacement materials, there is still a need for improvement in order to reduce the cost of the catalyst component while maintaining an acceptable performance and durability.

This PhD project will tackle the following challenges:
• To identify and develop new synthesis routes and hybrid materials as alternative to noble metal catalystsin polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysers and fuel cells.
• To develop new low-cost electrocatalyst materials applying multi-dimensional approach (nano-, meso-, micro-).
• To better understand the structure-property relationship through the use of new and combined characterisation techniques.
• To design easy-to-scale-up synthesis processes.

The successful applicant will have a background in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related subject. She/He will be expected to synthesise hybrid organicinorganic materials including transition metal ceramics (oxides, carbides, nitrides) and conducting polymers for their application in PEM water electrolysers and PEM fuel cells. The successful applicant will be also expected to work with the following characterisation techniques: SEM, TEM, AFM, BET, TGA, X-ray tomography, cyclic voltammetry, rotational disc electrode, corrosion tests, etc. The use of synchrotron facilities is also envisaged, in order to get a deeper insight in the catalysis mechanisms and structure of the new materials.

Scholarship location:UK
Duration:3 years

More information (external link to the scholarship website)

Sources of text, links and images: Website of Queen Mary University

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