Renewable-electricity-driven CO2 capture and conversion with new-developed photocatalysts & electrocatalysts

30 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Politecnico di Torino

Department

Department of Applied Science and Technology

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Italy

Application Deadline

8 Mar 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Nov 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

European Union / Next Generation EU

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Funded PhD position in Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Torino (40o PhD cycle).

APPLICATIONS: FROM 05/02/2024 TO 08/03/2024.

Politecnico di Torino is one of the top public universities in Turin, Italy and is ranked in the TOP17% world universities in engineering: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/politecnico-di-torino

The main objective of this PhD is to study novel low-cost and abundant CO2 reduction photo/electro/catalysts for the CO2 conversion to C2+ molecules, with the aim to substitute traditional thermocatalytic processes like CO2 hydrogenation and Fischer Thropsch by the photo/electrochemical technology. The aim is to reach competitive activity and stability, versus the state-of-the-art catalysts, in a gas-phase co-electrolyzers. In addition, the practical application of an integrated CO2 capture and conversion process under development at Politecnico di Torino will also be pursued to develop a fully integrated CO2 capture and utilization system.

The expected outcomes of the studies that will be performed are:

• Develop and investigate the performance of new abundant and low-cost electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction (EC CO2 R).
• Development of gas difussion electrodes (GDE) and half membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) by the coupling of the electrocatalysts and a ion exchange membranes (IEM).
• Investigation of catalysts performance in gas-phase GDE and zero-gap MEA electrochemical reactors.
• Optimization of an innovative process coupling CO2 capture and in-situ electrochemical conversion. A reactor prototype developed between the Politecnico di Torino and an industrial partner within the European project SunCoChem (https://suncochem .eu/) will be exploited.
• Optimization of the process by tuning the reactor operating conditions (flow rates, pressure, temperature, applied potential, etc) to reach the target stability and electrochemical CO2 -to-fuels performance, under current density values (>100 mA/cm2 ) that are relevant for an industrial application.

Different instruments and characterization techniques (FESEM, XRD, XPS, among others) available at PoliTO-DISAT and CREST Group https://www.disat.polito.it/it/la_ricerca/gruppi_di_ricerca/crest (e.g. Solar-Fuels Lab) will be exploited for the study of the chemical-physical properties and electro-catalytic performance of the device. An electrochemical test bench designed and manufactured in the framework of the CO2 Circle Lab (https://co2circlelab.eu/ ) will be used for the electrochemical activity tests and long-term stability studies. Products analysis will be performed by using analytical instruments, e.g. HPLC, GC-MSD with head-space, micro-GC, among others.

The fundamental knowledge we have acquired in previous EU (e.g. SunCoChem, CELBICON, RECODE) and industrial projects will be implemented to accomplish the goal.

All details and online application at: https://www.polito.it/en/education/phd-programmes-and-postgraduate-scho… .

Tutor: Prof. Simelys Hernandez

Contact the tutor if interested at: [email protected] .

 

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

- Master studies in chemical engineering and/or industrial chemistry is mandatory.

- A good background or previous studies in catalysts synthesis, electrochemistry and electrochemical reactions is of high importance.

- Know-how and/or willing to learn electrochemical characterization techniques, electrocatalyst and electrodes preparation methods.

- Good knowledge of standard practices and previous experience in chemical laboratories are desirable.

- Ability to set priorities, work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, plan the work and respect deadlines are important.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://www.polito.it/en/education/phd-programmes-and-postgraduate-school/admis…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Politecnico di Torino

Country

Italy

City

Turin

Postal Code

10129

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.polito.it/en/education/phd-programmes-and-postgraduate-school/admis…

Contact

City

Torino

Website

https://www.polito.it/
https://www.polito.it/en/education/phd-programmes-and-postgraduate-school/admissions-to-phd-programmes/admissions/call-for-applications

Street

Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24

Postal Code

10129

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED