PhD Studentship: Understanding Catalysts for Sustainable Chemistry Using Advanced X-ray Characterisation

Using captured carbon dioxide and clean hydrogen will play a critical part in creating a sustainable future for the energy and chemical industry. Yet a lack of access to efficient, abundant, and affordable catalysts is inhibiting this transition. Your project will use the power of advanced X-ray spectroscopic techniques to understand how the abundant alkali elements can be used to make effective heterogeneous catalysts in sustainable carbon dioxide and hydrogen technologies. With this understanding, we will design catalysts that fully harness the potential alkali species to make a real contribution to creating a more sustainable world.

As part of our team, with expert supervisors in catalyst design (Dr Simon Kondrat at Loughborough University) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (Dr Giannantonio Cibin at Diamond Light Source), you will make, test, and characterise alkali catalysts. During the project, you will spend 50% of your time at the world leading Diamond Light Source facilities, designing, manufacturing, and commissioning a bespoke X-ray spectroscopy reactor cell, which will be used to characterise alkali catalysts under reaction conditions. You will have the opportunity to share your results within the successful and vibrant UK catalysis and central facilities communities, whilst building skills in inorganic and physical chemistry, applied and sustainable catalysis and advanced X-ray characterisation techniques.

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron and one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world. Loughborough University has an applied research culture. In Ref 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as “world leading” or “internationally excellent”. We are a community based on mutual support and collaboration. Through our Doctoral College there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networking among your peers and research academics.