2 postdoctoral positions (# of pos: 2)

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 23 Nov 2021

2 postdoctoral positions – 24 months - Electrochemistry Group - University of São Paulo - São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC-USP) - Brazil

The Electrochemistry Group, at the University of São Paulo's São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC-USP), in Brazil, is offering two postdoctoral positions, with scholarship funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), with a minimum period of two years’ work in the thematic project: "ELECTROCATALYSIS VI: FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS OF EMERGING AND CLASSICAL PROBLEMS IN ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERSION". The group has an excellent track record study in Electrocatalysis for Energy Conversion Devices, including fuel cells and water electrolyzers. More recently, it has extended the expertise in the field towards the implementation of CO2 electrochemistry. Positive outcomes are expected in these fields through research activities within this new project. The selected candidates will receive a FAPESP’s Postdoctoral fellowship in the amount of R$7,373.10 monthly, and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 10% of the annual value of the fellowship which should be spent in items directly related to the research activity.

Applications can be made for the development of the following projects:

Position 1:

Project Title: “Au and Cu-based electrodes superficially modified with functional molecules with alkaline and hydrophobic groups for carbon dioxide reduction”.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Fabio H. B. Lima.

E-mail: [email protected]

Summary: The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is an attractive route for an efficient, and clean production of fuels. In aqueous-based electrolytes, however, the main challenge is related to the development of electrocatalysts with high faradaic efficiency for the formation of C1 and/or C2+ products. The functionalization of metallic surfaces with organic molecules with alkaline and hydrophobic groups can be considered an elegant and efficient strategy to modulate the catalytic activity of electrodes. For example, modifying Au and/or Cu electrodes surfaces with imidazole-based molecules, anchored by dithiocarbamates (DTC) ligands, and modified by aliphatic carbon chains, with different lengths, is an important approach for CO2 fixation and for modulating the hydrophobic feature of the molecular junction on the metallic surface, controlling the access of water and, so, decreasing the competing hydrogen evolution. Considering the topics described above, this research project aims to study the influence of the nature/composition of anchored molecules on metal-based nanostructures (such as Au and Cu), and the effect of alkaline groups (CO2 fixation), and the carbon chain sizes, (surface hydrophobicity), on CO2 reduction activity.

Position 2:

Project Title: “CO2 Electro-reduction on ionic liquid containing electrode/electrolyte interfaces”

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Edson A. Ticianelli

E-mail: [email protected]

Summary:

In the present times, the scientific community has turned its attention to the development of alternatives for capturing the excess of atmospheric CO2, so as to reuse it for the production of value-added fuels. In this sense, CO2 electro-reduction has been shown to be one of the most promising alternatives, since it can be performed under low pressure and temperature, and the reaction rate can be controlled by the electrode potential. This study aims to investigate the CO2 electroreduction in single cells formed by a bipolar membrane (BPM), gas diffusion electrodes with metallic electrocatalysts based on metals such as Cu, Ag, Pd and/or Fe-Nx moieties, supported on high surface area carbon, in absence and presence of different ionic liquids. Important parameters will be the operating temperature (25 to 60 ºC), the potential applied to the electrode, the nature of the electrocatalysts and of the ionic liquids.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATES:

The positions are offered to candidates of any nationalities. The candidates must demonstrate previous experience in electrocatalytic research (mainly those involved in electrolyzers), in the synthesis of electrocatalysts, spectroscopy, microscopy, and in situ techniques. Additionally, the candidate is expected to develop projects with a focus on coupling electrochemical experiments with different techniques such as DEMS, RAMAN, FTIR, etc.).

The applications should be sent with the following documents in .pdf format, to the respective project supervisor to the above-mentioned e-mails, until 30 October 2021:

1) Recommendation Letter, preferably from the PhD supervisor;

2) Letter at which the candidate describes his experience in the research field and defines his interest in Project 1 or 2;

3) Copy of the Abstract of PhD thesis;

4) Resume.



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