PhD Studentship: UKRI Net2Zero CDT (Industry-Sponsored by Nanodot Ltd.) - Energy Efficient Oxyfuel Combustion of Biomass Enabled by Oxygen Separation Membranes

Supervisors: Dr Ming Li, Prof. Hao Liu 

Programme Length:  Four years 

Prospective Start Date: October 2026 

Net²Zero Centre for Doctoral Training 

The EPSRC and BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Negative Emission Technologies for Net Zero (CDT in Net2Zero) is an equal partnership between Aston University (lead), University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Warwick. Through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, this CDT aims to tackle global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.  

Training and Development

Through our research training programme, you will be able to:

• Network with doctoral researchers, academia, government, and industry
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for international collaboration
• A comprehensive, interdisciplinary training programme
• A three-month placement with Nanodot Ltd.

Project Overview and Background

Oxy-fuel combustion, where fuels are burned in pure oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and flue gas (CO₂), produces a CO₂-rich flue gas that enables easier sequestration without energy-intensive preprocessing. However, oxygen production remains energy intensive and relies on conventional cryogenic distillation.

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) that display high oxide-ion and electronic conductivity can be made into dense ceramic membranes that allow oxygen ions while blocking nitrogen. They enable oxygen separation with 100% selectivity and reduced cost and energy penalty compared to conventional cryogenic air separation. Oxy-fuel combustion coupled with oxygen separation membranes can provide an energy-efficient, low-cost CO₂ capture technology for fuel-combustion-based power plants.   

The challenge is to develop MIEC membranes with both high oxygen permeability and stability under operating conditions. For example, the state-of-the-art Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF) exhibits high oxygen permeability but suffers from CO₂ reactivity and structural instability. 

The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of energy efficient oxyfuel combustion of biomass enabled by oxygen separation membranes. The objectives are to (1) develop high-performance, stable mixed oxide ion-electronic conductors; (2) manufacture ceramic tube membranes and (3) conduct oxyfuel combustion of biomass fuels with membrane-produced oxygen.

This project is in collaboration with Nanodot Ltd.

Person Specification 

 Essential: 

• Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first or an upper 2:1 honour degree (or equivalent) or a 60%+ weighted average MSc
• Knowledge of Ceramic Manufacturing 
• Experience in characterisation of: 
  • Electrical properties (ionic and electronic conductivity) 
  • Crystal structure and chemical composition 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion is at the heart of the Net2Zero CDT. We are committed to equality of opportunity and therefore encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in a higher education setting.

Financial Support

• Tax-free annual stipend at UKRI rate (£21,383 per year for 2026/27)
• Paid tuition fees
• A generous research training support grant

Overseas Applicants

This opportunity is currently open for home fee status candidates only.

How to Apply

All applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form via the ‘Apply’ button above. Please visit the studentship advert for further application guidance.

These studentships are open until filled, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Contact Information

For general application or process enquiries, please contact:

• Beatrix Gateb (Senior CDT Administrator for Net2Zero CDT) at beatrix.gateb1@nottingham.ac.uk

For academic enquiries, please contact:

• Prof. Hao Liu (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at liu.hao@nottingham.ac.uk
• Prof. Eleanor Binner (Co-Director of Net2Zero CDT) at eleanor.binner@nottingham.ac.uk

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