M/F PhD student on innovative iron-based oxygen electrode materials for high-temperature electrolysis

22 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux

Research Field

Chemistry
Physics
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

11 Apr 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

Created in 1995, the Bordeaux Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry (ICMCB) focuses its research on Solid State Chemistry, Materials Science and Chemistry and Processes: designing, preparing, shaping and characterising materials to discover, control and optimise specific functions. The ICMCB carries out fundamental research on model materials and/or materials with potential applications.
The ICMCB is a UMR with an average of 270 staff (permanent and non-permanent), with 3 supervisory bodies, hosted by the CNRS and with a total ZRR.
The position is located in a sector covered by the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that the arrival of the agent be authorised by the competent authority of the MESR.

This thesis project is part of the Programme et Equipement Prioritaire de Recherche on decarbonated hydrogen launch by the french goverment as part of the national strategy on energetic transition "France 2030". Solid Oxid Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) are emerging as a promising solution to produce green hydrogen. This technology offers advantages such as high efficiency, co-electrolysis capability as well as reversibility via the use of fuel cell mode. However, challenges remain, related to the durability of the cells, their environmental impact and cost. One of the major concerns is the use of cobalt, a critical metal, difficult to extract and likely to be in short supply in the medium term. SOECs are also susceptible to degradation of their components, especially the oxygen electrode. The project of this thesis aims to explore new compositions of more abundant iron-based electrode materials of Ruddlesden-Popper structure, with general chemical formula (La1-xSrx)n+1FenO3n+1 (n = 1, 2, 3; 0 < x < 1), and to improve electro-catalytic and chemical stability properties through Mn and Cu cationic substitutions. These cations with mixed valences and/or different from those of the cations already present will be likely to introduce disorder into the crystal structure and anionic defects beneficial for the electron and ion transport properties. The thesis subject will lead the candidate to develop its skills in solid-state chemistry, electrochemistry and device fabrication.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5026-FREBON0-190/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux

Country

France

City

PESSAC

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5026-FREBON0-190/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

PESSAC

Website

http://www.icmcb-bordeaux.cnrs.fr/

STATUS: EXPIRED