Master Thesis - Catalyst structures for electro-reduction of CO2 in liquid-fed electrolyzer

Your Job:

Carbon utilization technologies are rapidly developing fields of electro-catalysis. Their main focus is lowering the carbon footprint, by utilizing the excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), through power-to-fuel conversions. The development of liquid-fed electrolyzers is a newly found aspect of CO2-utilisation. Using a capture-solution as CO2-source, we seek to develop efficient single-cell electrolyzers. The focus of this Master thesis will be the development of catalysts/catalyst-layers and the determination of their activity for the CO2 electroreduction in a liquid-fed electrolyzer. Analysis of the catalyst layers, using microscopy techniques, will help us comprehend the material’s structure and its alterations throughout the reaction time. Additional physico-chemical characterizations will be used to describe the catalyst’s structure and correlate it with its properties. Your tasks include:

• Synthesis and fabrication of catalyst layer
  
• Characterization of synthesised catalyst/catalyst-layer
  
• Evaluation of CO2-reduction activity of the fabricated MEAs
  
• Electrochemical characterisation of the fabricated catalyst layers
  
• Stability tracking of the MEAs and recording the degradation process of the catalyst

Your Profile:

• Current Master studies with excellent marks in Material Science, Physics, Engineering or Chemistry
  
• Basic knowledge of electrochemistry and inorganic chemistry
  
• Laboratory experience
  
• Willingness to learn and ability to think outside of the box
  
• Excellent cooperation, communication and team-work abilities
  
• Independent, self-motivated and responsible
  
• Excellent English skills are mandatory; fluency in German is advantageous

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• An interesting and socially relevant topic for your thesis with future-oriented themes
  
• Ideal conditions for gaining practical experience alongside your studies
  
• An interdisciplinary collaboration in an international, committed and collegial team
  
• Well-equipped laboratories and state-of-the-art research in one of the largest research centers in Europe
  
• Qualified support through your scientific colleagues
  
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
  
• The opportunity for a PhD position at the IEK-14 might be offered to you following your Master thesis with sufficient skills and available job funding provided
  

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.