Fully funded PhD studentship at the Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Hydrogen – Composite membranes for hydrogen purification

Reference

ENG1541

Closing Date

Saturday, 30th April 2022

Department

Engineering

 Location:              Nottingham

Funding for:        UK Students

Hours:                   4 years full time

Project description:

Hydrogen is a high quality and clean energy carrier. Currently, the majority of hydrogen is produced by steam-methane reforming followed by a water-gas shift reaction whilst bio-hydrogen production has also been increasing. Before hydrogen can be used in fuel cell and other applications CO2 and CH4 must be removed that resulted from production processes. Membrane-based separation technologies are one of the most promising alternatives compared to conventional separation technologies i.e., pressure swing adsorption because of low energy consumption. Although many inorganic membranes of zeolites, metal alloys and carbon molecular sieves have developed, the difficulty of scaling up limits their applications

Polymer membranes are useful whilst controlling permeability/selectivity in harsh conditions is challenging. Recently mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), where an inorganic material embedded into polymer matrix, have attracted more attention as they combine porous materials’ functionality with polymer processability. In this sense, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that comprised of metal ions connected by organic linkers, are the most promising ones due to their diverse and flexible structure. In addition, the organic linker in MOFs typically have better affinity towards polymer chains and thus allow control of the MOF/polymer interface. Therefore, void-free MMMs can be prepared without the requirement for modification of filler or membrane surfaces. Therefore, this project will explore development of metal organic framework/polymer mixed matrix membranes with enhanced H2 selectivity to enable membrane based H2 purification.

Benefits and facilities:

This project is supported by the National Grid and Sustainable Hydrogen CDT at Nottingham. Project supervisors’ work is underpinned by unique experimental facilities and leading characterisation suites, including X-ray diffraction, gas sorption, and the Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nMRC). There will also be opportunities for working with our collaborators at the Universities of Manchester, Diamond Light Source, and The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Oxfordshire).

Studentship summary:

The PhD position is available from 1st October 2022. The studentship covers both tuition fees and a tax-free student stipend at RCUK rates (£15,609 per annum for 2021/22 academic year). Duration is 4 years.

Entry requirements:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated person with good interpersonal skills and a keen interest in research. The candidate must have, or expect to obtain a first-class or 2:1 degree, or a distinction or high merit at MSc level (or international equivalent) in chemistry, physics or materials science. Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is open to UK candidates only.

This studentship is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Begum Tokay and Dr. Andrea Laybourn and at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK. Applications should be made through the Sustainable Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training using the following link: https://www.sustainablehydrogen-cdt.ac.uk/applications/applications.aspx Enquiries about the vacancy, and recruitment process may be sent to begum.tokay@nottingham.ac.uk

Please apply here https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx

When applying for this studentship, please include the reference number (beginning ENG and supervisors name) within the personal statement section of the application. This will help in ensuring your application is sent directly to the academic advertising the studentship.