In the framework of an ambitious project devoted to clean hydrogen production, a combined theoretical and experimental PhD is opened in the INTERFACES department of ICB. The aim of this project is to produce hydrogen thanks to water photolysis. More specifically we plan to use the ferroelectricity of BaTiO3 inserted in an heterojunction with a second oxide to reach higher efficiency for H2 production through photolysis.

During his PhD, the recruited candidate will focus on the study of phenomena occurring at the interface between water and the top oxide and at the interface between the two metal oxides. This analysis will be performed thanks to periodic ab initio calculations but also through experimental analysis. In particular, the PhD student will be involved in the development of a new rack sample devoted to cold measurements through high energy photoemission (HaXPES). This technique will allow in depth analysis and thus a comprehensive study of the different interfaces.