PhD Studentship: Porous Two-dimensional Materials (MXenes) for Hydrogen and CO2 Applications

Supervisory Team: Dr Nuno Bimbo, Dr Mohamed Hassan-Sayed 

Project Description:

MXenes are a new class of two-dimensional materials that have been recently discovered and have already shown great promise for a range of applications, including electrochemical energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, and energy conversion. MXenes can be made modified to possess porosity, which is a feature that can prove extremely beneficial for applications in various areas, including electrochemical energy storage, catalysis and gas adsorption. MXenes have already shown promise for gas separations, as they showed outstanding performance for CO₂ capture in mixtures relevant for post-combustion carbon capture. 

Industrial separations are responsible for 15% of the world’s primary energy demand, and their importance is likely to continue to increase. Separations are also critical for future industries, such as hydrogen fuel cells, which require purification of hydrogen gas, or waste-to-energy processes such as gasification, which need careful separation of the resulting gaseous streams. Adsorption-based separations have long been used in industry, but there is an urgent need for development of new materials that can provide for more energy-efficient separations. 

This PhD project will synthesise porous MXenes, and will test these materials for gas applications, focussing on separations relevant for carbon capture and hydrogen purification. This will involve synthesis of MXenes, looking at Ti₃C₂, Mo₂TiC₂, Cr₂C, V₂C, W_1.33C and Mo_1.33C, and other MXenes, which will then be intercalated with different pillars to obtain a range of different pore sizes. The materials will be characterised using a range of techniques, including X-ray and Electron Diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy, NMR, BET analysis, and tested for gas adsorption of CO₂ and H₂, with the view of identifying the most promising candidates for hydrogen and carbon capture applications. 

This is a 3.5 years fully funded PhD studentship ideal for someone with a Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Physics background, and an interest in materials and gases. The project will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, as it is based on the School of Chemistry at the University of Southampton. The School has recently benefitted from major investments in facilities, and has new and upgraded laboratory equipment fitted with modern, high-tech display systems, and excellent analytical and characterisation facilities. 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). 

Closing Date: 31 August 2024. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships. For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered. 

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Chemistry (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr Nuno Bimbo. 

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date 

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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