PhD Position in ionic plastic crystals for thermal energy storage and novel electronics

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Society is undergoing an energy revolution, decisively shifting away from fossil fuels. While much of the focus is on batteries, thermal energy storage will play a major role as complimentary energy storage technology. In addition, the materials used for the electronic components in devices such as capacitors, needs to be evolved to enable recycling and circular economies.

Ionic plastic crystals are supramolecular materials made from small globular organic and inorganic molecular ions. Their rare combination of long-range crystal structure and local molecular orientational freedom enables properties like piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity, and high entropy phase transitions. It is this unique set of properties that makes them extremely interesting for thermal energy storage, caloric cooling devices, transducers, actuators and sensors – all essential components for our energy future.

We have a vacancy for an enthusiastic PhD candidate in ionic plastic crystals for thermal energy storage and novel electronics. The position is at the Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry (FACET) Research group , in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU Norwegian University for Science and Technology.

This academic position will provide the opportunity for the candidate to complete a doctoral education program and obtain a PhD from NTNU, while undertaking professional development activities within the broad fields of research and materials science.

This research project will explore the landscape of ionic plastic crystal chemistry and engineering, with particular focus on developing sound methodologies for modifying the functional properties and the thermodynamic characteristics of the phase transitions. As a PhD candidate you will work on the novel area of compositional engineering in ionic plastic crystals and actively contribute to this growing field of research.

The PhD candidate will pursue experimentally based materials science where they will develop new compositions, design synthesis methodology, and perform detailed structural, thermodynamic and electrical property characterization.

Candidates will be required to perform all sample synthesis themselves in the chemistry laboratory, using mostly wet chemical approaches to crystallite precipitation. This will be followed by detailed analysis with X-ray diffraction and total scatter experiments, both ex situ and in situ as a function of temperature and electric field, performed in the lab and at international user-based synchrotron radiation facilities. Complimentary studies with Raman and Infrared spectroscopy will also be used to help decode the local structure. The use of differential scanning calorimetry will be an essential tool mapping thermodynamic changes across the phase transitions in the different materials. Finally impedance spectroscopy and additional high field leakage current and ferroelectric switching measurements will be employed to characterize additional functional properties as a function of composition. The Candidate will therefore develop a range of skills that will make them a highly accomplished supramolecular chemist as well as an expert in structural and thermodynamic characterization.