Doctorat/PhD (M/F) : Development of hybrid cathode architecture for the cascade electrochemical conversion of CO2

14 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l'Environnement de Lyon

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Chemistry » Computational chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

4 May 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

This PhD thesis is part of the PorousGDL project, a task of the PEPR POWERCO2, coordinated by the CEA IRIG in Grenoble

Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in the development of CO2RR electrocatalysts. On the one hand, molecular catalysts (homogeneous or supported) have achieved very high selectivity at low overpotential, but have been mostly limited to the 2-electron generation of CO from CO2 and with limited current densities. On the other hand, copper-based heterogeneous electrocatalysts have been shown to generate more valuable C2+ products with moderate selectivity at high current densities but at much higher overpotential. It was further shown that copper could selectively and efficiently reduce CO into C2+ products at lower overpotential than CO2. The project aims at building a synergetic electrocatalytic system involving (i) a first layer containing a highly efficient and selective molecular electrocatalyst for the generation of CO from CO2, and (ii) a second porous layer supporting electrocatalytic Cu-based nanoparticles for the conversion of spillover CO molecules from the first layer into C2+ products. Moreover the use of conductive metal-organic porous layer functionalized with CO2-anchoring amine sites will be explored to further increase the local concentration of CO2 at the surface of the electrode. This novel architecture is expected to achieve selective CO2RR towards C2+ products at unprecedently low overpotential and high current densities.

The PhD will involve the preparation of the Cu-containing layer, the study of several hybrid electrode architectures, and the benchmarking of CORR and CO2RR performance of the electrocatalytic systems inside a gas-diffusion electrochemical cell.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Chemistry » Computational chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Additional comments

What we offer : A stimulating work environment in close contact with research staff. The possibility of teleworking (maximum 2 days a week), depending on activity. A company restaurant on site where you can have lunch at an attractive price. Partial reimbursement of transport tickets (75%) + sustainable mobility package. A site accessible by public transport + private parking lot 44 days of leave per year Financial participation in health insurance costs.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5256-MATPRE-002/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l'Environnement de Lyon

Country

France

City

VILLEURBANNE

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5256-MATPRE-002/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

VILLEURBANNE

STATUS: EXPIRED