PhD Student

Updated: about 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 15 Mar 2022

Head of the project Prof. UAM Igor Iatsunskyi is looking for candidates to work in a scientific project “Nanocomposites based on 1D semiconductors modified by MXene and ALD for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting”

Hydrogen (H2) production via solar water splitting is one of the most ideal strategies for providing sustainable fuel because this requires only water and sunlight. In achieving high-yield production of H2 as a recyclable energy carrier, the nanoscale design of novel nanocomposites plays a pivotal role in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting reactions. In this context, the arrival of one-dimensional (1D) semiconductor nanocomposites modified by 2D materials (e.g. graphene, black phosphorous, Transition metal dichalcogenide - TMD, MXene etc.) with remarkable electronic and optical characteristics have attracted great attention for their application to PEC systems. The development of these nanocomposites can significantly enhance the PEC efficiencies via bandgap alteration, heterojunction formation and other effects.

The proposed project is a multidisciplinary proposal, based on different research areas related to the application of 1D semiconductor nanostructures modified by MXene and Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) for solar water splitting. The project is devoted to the tailoring, understanding and application of the nanocomposites for PEC water splitting, via the control of their electrical/optical properties and the understanding of the changes induced by MXene and MXene/Metal oxide coatings on 1D semiconductor surfaces. 


The main goal of the project is the development and investigation of novel nanocomposites based on 1D semiconductor materials (Si nanowires – SiNW, ZnO nanorods – ZnO-NR, and TiO2 nanorods – TiO2-NR) functionalized/modified by MXene (e.g. Ti3C2) and ALD metal oxides - MOx (TiO2, ZnO) layer for solar water splitting. The developed nanocomposites (SiNW/MXene/MOx; ZnO-NR/MXene/MOx and TiO2-NR/MXene/MOx) are expected to demonstrate new fundamental properties (high surface area, enhanced charge carrier separation, stability, increased absorption) which will enhance the PEC efficiency of fabricated photoelectrodes.

Your tasks:

  • fabrication and characterization of 1D photoelectrodes based on Si nanowires/MXene/metal oxide;
  • study the photocatalytic properties of solar water splitting for produced nanocomposites;
  • Participation in project meetings;
  • Coordination with internal and external partners (business trips are planned);
  • Publication and presentation of research results in relevant journals and/or at international conferences.

For more information please contact the project leader

Prof. Igor Iatsunskyi ([email protected] ).



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