PhD Studentship : Green Corrosion Inhibitors

This exciting opportunity is based within the Advanced Materials Research Group at Faculty of Engineering which conducts cutting edge research.

Vision

We are seeking PhD student that is motivated to make technological advances, furthering the area of sustainable green corrosion inhibitors.

Motivation

Corrosion inhibitors are widely used to extend the lifetime of metallic components. A common way of using corrosion inhibitors is to inject them into a fluid. The inhibitors form a self generated coating on material that the fluid comes into contact with. This protective coating acts as a barrier between the material and fluid, decreasing corrosion. However, current corrosion inhibitors are highly toxic, environmentally unfriendly chemicals. There is a large research effort to develop environmentally friendly alternatives. Numerous plant based extracts have shown promising initial results. This project will help identify alternative, sustainable, green corrosion inhibitors which have potential to be scaled up for industrial use.

Aim

The project will include extensive experimental work where sources of candidate green corrosion inhibitors are identified, extracts generated, screening experiments developed and corrosion exposure tests are run, coupled with electrochemical measurement to characterise corrosion inhibition performance. There is scope to include socio-economic and life cycle analysis in the assessment of candidate green corrosion inhibitors. The extent of this aspect of the work will reflect the interest and background of the successful candidate.

You will be expected to produce scientific publications to disseminate the results of the work. There will also be the opportunity to present your work at an international conference.

In addition to acquiring expertise in the specific areas of green corrosion inhibitors you will become skilled in materials characterisation, regularly using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Your verbal and written communication skills will develop as you learn how to disseminate your work to a variety of audiences.

Who we are looking for

An enthusiastic, self-motivated, resourceful person ready to engage with the various topic areas needed to support this work.

1st or a 2:1 or MSc in a relevant field such as, but not limited to, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry or Physics.

Open to UK/EU/Overseas students. We welcome applications from those who hold scholarship offers to study for a PhD in the 24/25 academic year. If you are seeking funding you can look for funding sources at:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx

Funding support

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

The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving working environment for all PGRs creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking and career development after the PhD. The Faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners.

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