PhD scholarship in Electrocatalyst Development for High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells - DTU Energy

Do you plan to study electrocatalysis and contribute to developing fuel cells for a sustainable future? Do you enjoy working closely with the industry to convert research knowledge to cutting-edge products? This PhD position is for you.

The transport sector is the second largest energy consumer in Europe, relying heavily on fossil fuels and responsible for about 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. The Green Transition of the transport sector requires fundamental efforts in innovation and adoption of new solutions. The Battery electric vehicle is currently leading the way, but it faces several technical challenges such as limited range, long battery charging durations, and inadequate charging infrastructure. A competitive technology is renewable methanol-powered high-temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells (HT-PEMFC), which enables a long range without compromising payload and doesn’t require expensive infrastructure to store and distribute pressurized hydrogen. As part of a project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, this PhD project aims to develop cost-effective and scalable synthesis processes to produce advanced catalysts for HT-PEMFC.    

At DTU Energy, we have been carrying out R&D in sustainable energy conversion technologies, including HT-PEMFC, for many decades and we are among the world’s leaders in research and development in this area. We have excellent facilities and competencies to carry out research from fundamental studies of electrochemical materials to the fabrication of lab-scale components and devices. To facilitate this project, we have recently developed a solid-state synthesis process for Pt-based catalysts and several cutting-edge experimental devices and equipment, including, e.g. thermogravimetric analysis - mass spectrometry for in-situ investigation of synthesis mechanisms and a variety of devices for operando studies of catalyst structures under operating conditions.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The focus of this PhD project is to develop cost-effective synthesis processes to produce highly active and durable Pt-based catalysts for methanol-powered HT-PEMFC. Aiming for the quick adoption of research results by our industry partner, Blue World Technologies, we will focus on synthesis processes that have excellent control of catalyst structures and can be readily scaled up. Another focus is to improve the performance, especially the durability, of the catalysts, and at the same time, with significantly reduced usage of Pt. We will use a variety of in situ and operando techniques, including operando XRD, Raman, IR, X-ray tomographic microscopy, µ-CT/nano-CT imaging techniques, to investigate the degradation mechanisms of the catalysts under industrially relevant operating conditions. Based on that, we will explore optimized catalyst structures as well as mitigation strategies, and verify the catalyst performance in single-cell and stacks of HT-PEMFC.      

Your primary tasks include:

• Investigate and optimize a variety of chemical and physical processes for synthesizing the catalysts will well-controlled structures
• Characterize the bulk and surface structures of the catalysts using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as XRD, TEM, and XPS.
• Evaluate the performance of the catalysts using a variety of electrochemical techniques
• Employ (and optimize the design of) operando electrochemical devices to study the evolution/degradation of catalyst structures under operating conditions
• Collaborate with research groups working on theoretical modeling to design the optimum catalyst structure
• Collaborate with industry to electrode fabrication and fuel cell test

Qualified applicants must have:

• a master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or similar is required (you must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree)
• capability to establish an overview of tasks and take responsibility
• ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated tasks.
• good communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

It is beneficial if you have taken courses or carried out studies on

• Electrochemistry, electrochemical engineering, electrocatalysis, or similar
• Synthesis of nanomaterials using liquid chemistry or solid-state chemical processes
• Characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman, IR, TEM, XPS
• Assembling and testing fuel cells

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Qingfeng Li ([email protected]), Associate Professor Yang Hu ([email protected] +45 52651275) and Head of Section Professor Johan Hjelm ([email protected]).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Qingfeng Li, Associate Professor Yang Hu or Head of Section Professor Johan Hjelm ([email protected]).

You can read more about the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage at www.energy.dtu.dk/english .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than15 May 2023 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• (Optional) Documents showing relevant competencies and experience                                                                                    

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage is focused on education, research, and development within functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technologies. In a sustainable energy system a large part of the energy will be supplied by fluctuating sources such as solar and wind power. This makes it critically important to be able to convert and store the energy as needed. The researchers in the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage work on technologies and materials for direct conversion and subsequent storage of different forms of energy.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.