EPSRC DTP studentship - Engineering Interfaces: Charging Catalysts Efficiently for Improved Fuel Production

Efficiently for Improved Fuel Production

Engineering Interfaces to Efficiently Charge Catalysts

With the emergence of low-cost renewable energy sources and our societal push for decarbonization, it has become attractive to utilize renewable electrons to drive important industrial reactions such as ammonia synthesis and hydrogen production and to address issues related to sustainability such as emissions capture and conversion. However, conventional porous catalytic materials currently in use are designed for thermal processes, and they are inefficient in storing and using charges at the catalytic interface to affect reaction performance. Our research group has the capability to engineer these catalytic interfaces to improve electron transport and storage using a robust atom-by- atom deposition methodology inspired from thin film technologies such as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAM). This methodology improves over conventional methods of incipient wetness that have issues related to large crystallite formation and irregular structures, leading to an inefficient use of materials.

In this studentship, you will engineer nanostructures and investigate their catalytic properties under charge modulation for reactions involving fuel generations. The theme, as you have noticed, is efficiency i.e. efficiency in utilizing materials and efficiency in storing energy. Therefore, your work will include both exciting proof of concept studies and wider exploratory studies related to industrial applications. The advancements you make will have a major impact on UK's pursuit for decarbonization. Throughout the studentship, we will develop the research objectives over time, with the central theme focusing on engineering interfaces. You will have the opportunity to work with world-class experts at Cambridge and at other national and international institutions.

Informal enquiries to [email protected] are warmly encouraged.

Lab website: https:// onnlab.eng.cam.ac.uk/home

EPSRC DTP studentships are fully-funded (fees and maintenance) for students eligible for Home fees. EU and international students may be considered for a small number of awards at the Home fees rate. Full eligibility criteria can be found via the following link; https: // www. postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees/what-my-fee-status

Applications should be submitted via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal https: // www. postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egegpdpeg, with Tzia Ming Onn identified as the potential supervisor. Applications may close early if the position is filled before the advertised date.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Department of Engineering, Cambridge

NM40611

Studentships

21 February 2024

15 March 2024