PhD studentship: Pressurised Ion Transport in Nanoporous Materials

Water and ion transport under nanoconfinement conditions differ significantly from that in bulk electrolytes and hold promise in energy and water applications. For example, nanoporous materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) can offer extremely small hydrophobic pores comparable in size to water molecules. Squeezing liquid water into these tiny nanopores can create large solid-liquid interfaces and store or dissipate massive amounts of mechanical energy. Mechanical energy absorption through these mechanisms can be amplified by their large surface area and porosity, resulting in a much higher efficiency than that of conventional materials.

Research conducted in Dr Yueting Sun’s group at the University of Birmingham has experimentally demonstrated the great potential of MOFs, especially hydrophobic cage-type zeolitic frameworks such as ZIF-8, as efficient and reusable mechanical energy absorbers, where ions during liquid intrusion play a critical role. Molecular simulations from Prof Zhe Liu’s group at the University of Melbourne have revealed interesting fundamental ion transport phenomena in the sub-nanometer pores inside the 3D MOFs, e.g., how the cage-type ZIF-8 pores resemble biological ion channels and offer ultrafast and selective ion transport.

This project combines our complementary expertise to understand how ions transport under extreme confinement and dynamic pressurisation. You will spend time at both universities during the project and have access to state-of-the-art experimentation in Birmingham, including in-situ diagnostics and characterisation, as well as the molecular simulation platform in Melbourne. The knowledge that you will advance within the project will not only enable the rational design of highly efficient energy absorption and storage systems but also lead to accelerated ion separation and energy conversion technologies. By taking this joint PhD project, you will be part of the initiative to develop longer-term collaborations between Birmingham and Melbourne and our research partners.

This research is highly interdisciplinary. So, you may come from a background including but not limited to chemistry, mechanical engineering, material science, physics, mechanics, or crystallography. You should have a good degree in one of the disciplines above (equivalent to a UK First or at least a 2:1) and a collaborative attitude in research. If you wish to apply, please email Dr Yueting Sun (y.sun.9@bham.ac.uk) or Prof Zhe Liu (zhe.liu@unimelb.edu.au) with your CV as soon as possible.

The University of Birmingham and the University of Melbourne are among the world’s top 100 leading universities. We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and offering a supportive environment for people to thrive. You will have access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities across two institutions and external central facilities. You will also benefit from the close interactions with the fantastic local research communities and world-leading collaborators. Benefit from the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship of Dr Yueting Sun and the Australian Future Fellowship of Prof Zhe Liu, you will not only achieve research excellence but also receive support in career and professional development with funds for training and development opportunities.

Funding notes:

It is a fully funded position for students worldwide. In addition, you will benefit from relocation support and travel fund between Birmingham and Melbourne.

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