PhD Student in Chemistry of Interfaces

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.9 billion. Today, we have 1,815 staff and 19,155 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Division of Chemical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology are searching for a PhD student within the research subject Chemistry of Interfaces with a research focus on synthesis and characterizations of halogen-free ionic liquid-based electrolytes for supercapacitors.

Subject description
Chemistry of Interfaces group develop new types of ionic liquids that are revolutionary, environmentally friendly and effective electrolytes and lubricants with applications in batteries, supercapacitors and in the entire tribology area. We study and develop environmentally friendly functional collectors for the separation of minerals and environmentally friendly flame retardants from naturally occurring substances.

Project description
Conventional electrolytes are solutions of fluorinated lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents. Such electrolytes have a number of drawbacks including toxicity, risk of leakage, high flammability, high vapour pressure, and low thermal and electrochemical stabilities. There is therefore an urgent need to replace these electrolytes with non-flammable and halogen-free alternatives in order to improve both safety and performance. Ionic liquids are salts that are liquids at or below 100 °C and possess a number of unique properties such as non-volatility, non-flammability, high thermal stability, high ionic conductivity, high chemical and electrochemical stability and functional designability. Due to this, ionic liquids are considered as a suitable component for future electrolytes. However, most of the commercially available ionic liquids contain fluorinated anions making them less environmentally benign, expensive and cumbersome to produce and also problematic in the recycling stage. Therefore, development of new halogen-free ionic liquid-based electrolytes is highly desirable.

The project is funded by Horizon Europe and collaboration between the Chemistry of Interfaces research group at the Division of Chemical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology and European universities, research institutes and industries in Portugal, Poland, Italy, Belgium, etc.

Duties
The main focus is to design, synthesize and characterize halogen-free ionic liquid-based electrolytes. The target is to start from readily available, economic and green materials using benign synthetic procedures. The resulting ionic liquid-based electrolytes will be characterized using multinuclear NMR, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopic techniques. In addition, physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, thermal behaviour, and ionic conductivity, together with electrochemical stability and supercapacitor performance will be measured. Some of the experiments will be carried out in collaboration with other research institutes and industries.

For further information about a specific subject see;General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Qualifications
In order to be eligible, you must have a master degree in Chemistry and a good knowledge of and experience in organic synthesis and physicochemical characterization. The candidate should be very good in written and spoken English. Experience in synthesis of organic compounds and ionic liquids, and physical and electrochemical characterization is considered as an advantage.

Further information
Full-time fixed-term employment for four years. Department duties (such as teaching) up to 20 % of fulltime may be included. Location is Luleå, Sweden.

For further information please contact;Associate Professor Faiz Ullah Shah ([email protected]) , Chemistry of Interfaces, Luleå University of Technology

Union representatives:SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 [email protected] , OFR-S Lars Frisk, 0920-49 1792 [email protected]

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Reference number: 4717-2022
Last day of application: January 31, 2023

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