PhD Study : Investigation and development of electrocatalysts and electrochemical cells for the production of hydrogen from wastewater

Summary

This PhD student position offers an exciting and innovative research project for the synthesis and characterisation of novel photo/catalytic materials and the development of a photo/electrochemical cell for the generation of hydrogen from waste water components (e.g. ammonia and urea).

At Ulster, the position will be based in the Photocatalysis group, led by Prof. J Anthony Byrne, based in NIBEC, which has World class nanofabrication and characterisation facilities.  Here the research will focus on the synthesis of nano photo/catalytic materials and testing for photo/catalytic activity.  Materials will be characterised using advanced analytical methods including HRTEM, XPS, XRD, BET etc. Selected materials will be incorporated into custom built photoelectrochemical cells for the reforming of waste compounds in water to hydrogen. In the second part of the project, a manufacturing route for the production of the selected catalyst will be investigated at Delft IMP using the coating technology atomic layer deposition. Delft IMP, founded in 2014, is a start-up company from Delft University of Technology that focuses on the development and commercialization of new methods to produce coated particles using atomic layer deposition.

Note that this PhD is generously funded through the H2020 MSCA project REWATERGY.  The PhD is a European Industrial Doctorate with 50% of time based at Ulster and 50% of time based at IMP Delft, Netherlands.

Applicants must meet the entry criteria of Ulster and the criteria of the MSCA programme. Please note applications will only be accepted on the REWATERGY Website and not through the Ulster University PhD application system. For more details on this project, studentships, and how to apply see the following link; http://rewatergy.eu/ For more details on this specific PhD project see http://www.rewatergy.eu/ESR_projects/ESR_1_REWATERGY.pdf

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• H2020 MSCA EID