PhD Studentship: Breaking the Salt Barrier: Catalysts for Efficient Seawater Electrolysis

Start date:   29/09/2024   

Type of opportunity

Fully-funded studentship - Opportunities which are fully funded (e.g. covers all fees and stipend)

Eligibility & Related Project Details

Type of studentship: PhD

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK and International

Duration of Award if full time preferred*:  4 years

1^st Supervisor: Professor Upul KG Wijayantha

2^nd Supervisor: Professor Ewan McAdam / Dr Indrat Aria

Intro Paragraph:  

A viable path toward attaining energy sustainability is the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, conventional water electrolysis technologies predominantly rely on freshwater, exacerbating strain on already limited resources. Seawater, as a vast and natural electrolyte source, provides an alternative but poses significant challenges, including complex ionic chemistry, insoluble by-products formation, corrosion-related issues, and chlorine evolution/oxidation reactions. The project aims to address this by pioneering the development of innovative high-performance Mo/TMNs electrocatalyst, with ultra-thin graphitic carbon coating. A minimum annual stipend of £19,237 (tax-free) plus fees for four years will be provided.

Main Copy

A viable path toward attaining energy sustainability is the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, conventional water electrolysis technologies predominantly rely on freshwater, exacerbating strain on already limited resources. Seawater, as a vast and natural electrolyte source, provides an alternative but poses significant challenges, including complex ionic chemistry, insoluble by-products formation, corrosion-related issues, and chlorine evolution/oxidation reactions. Crucially, improving energy efficiency is imperative to mitigate the overall cost of hydrogen production from seawater.

Addressing these challenges involves developing high-performance electrocatalysts tailored for seawater electrolysis to achieve industrial-level oxygen evolution reaction (OER) current density below the potential at which competitive chlorine evolution reactions occur. Among potential candidates, transition-metal nitrides (TMNs) stand out as promising electrocatalysts due to their electron configurations, high electrical conductivities, corrosion resistance, and robust mechanical properties. Moreover, molybdenum (Mo) surfaces serve as electron pumps or reservoirs, modulating the electronic states of TMNs and enhancing catalytic activity through charge transfer. Additionally, ultra-thin graphitic carbon coatings can provide excellent conductivity and protective layers.

This project offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of hydrogen research. As a PhD student, you will gain valuable experience in electrochemical and chemical reaction engineering. You will receive training from the UKRI-funded doctoral training centres and have the chance to participate in entrepreneurial, project management, and technique-specific training.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit students with knowledge and experience of chemical and reaction engineering, catalysis and materials.

Funding

To be eligible, applicants must be classified as home or international students.

Sponsored by EPSRC Engineering Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training, this studentship will provide an annual stipend of £19,237 plus tuition fee. An additional travel and related expenses grant during the project worth up to £1000 per year for 4 years.

How to apply

For information please contact:      
Name: Professor Upul KG Wijayantha
Email:   Upul.Wijayantha@cranfield.ac.uk

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.

Keywords: hydrogen, carbon catpure and utilisation, catalysis, solid oxide electrolysis

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