Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Cranfield |
Funding for: | UK Students |
Funding amount: | Sponsored by EPSRC Engineering Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training and EDF Energy UK, this studentship will provide an annual stipend of £19,237 plus tuition fee. |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 3rd May 2024 |
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Closes: | 29th May 2024 |
Reference: | SWEE0253 |
Start date: 29/09/2024
Fee status : UK
Duration 4 years
1st Supervisor: Dr Mingming Zhu
2nd Supervisor: Dr Ali Nabavi
Main Content of Advertisement
Hydrogen and sustainable fuels will play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero economy. Cranfield is offering this PhD studentship, sponsored by EPSRC and EDF Energy UK, developing solid oxide electrolysis technologies to convert steam and/or carbon dioxide into hydrogen and sustainable fuels. The proposed research will focus on the development and testing of novel cost-effective electrocatalysts towards a superior reaction kinetics on the electrodes during electrolysis of steam and/or carbon dioxide.
The UK Government has plans to achieve Net-Zero by 2050 and hydrogen energy will play a significant role. High temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) has emerged as a promising technology for hydrogen production, renewable energy storage and CO2 mitigation. In addition, co-electrolysis of carbon dioxide with steam in SOEC produces synthetic gas, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, a precursor for the synthesis of sustainable fuels. However, the main issue associated with high temperature SOEC is the large overpotential required to achieve effective electrochemical reaction rate.
To tackle this problem, this project aims to develop novel and cost-effective electrocatalysts towards a superior reaction kinetics and durability on the electrodes of SOEC during electrolysis of steam and/or carbon dioxide. Combining lab scale electrolysis experimentation, advanced catalysts characterisation techniques and theoretical calculations, the scientific understanding of the relations between electrode structures and performance will be established and underlying factors governing the electrode reactions will be obtained.
This is a great opportunity to work in a project at the cutting edge of renewable energy and hydrogen energy and to learn cutting-edge techniques in catalyst preparation and characterisation, electro-chemical reaction engineering. They will have an opportunity working on the field site of the industry partner. The student will receive training from the UKRI-funded doctoral training centres as well as promoted to participate in entrepreneurial, project management and technique specific training. They will also be a member of the hydrogen community of practices and hydrogen research group led by Dr Zhu. They will also benefit from interactions with EDF UK, EDF Group in France, EIFER and other EDF R&D international centres, including a work placement at EDF’s R&D UK centre and possibly at EIFER’s facility in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline.
Funding
Sponsored by EPSRC Engineering Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training and EDF Energy UK, this studentship will provide an annual stipend of £19,237 plus tuition fee. An additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project worth up to £1000 per year for 4 years.
How to apply
For further information
Name: Mingming Zhu
Email: mingming.zhu.152@cranfield.ac.uk
If you are eligible for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
Keywords
hydrogen, carbon catpure and utilisation, catalysis, solid oxide electrolysis
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