The information attached below can also be found: http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=62808

Electrochemical reduction of atmospheric CO2 to methane, ethylene and/or alcohols, which can be used as energy carriers, offers the possibility to simultaneously store both carbon and energy from renewables, thus contributing both to the development of a fossil fuels-independent economy and to the mitigation of climate change. Unfortunately, in aqueous solutions the current efficiency for CO2 electroreduction is low, due to the competing evolution of H2, and the high activation barrier is very high. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), in addition to having very low vapour pressures, have very wide potential windows, thus allowing to reduce CO2 in the absence of competing reactions and, consequently, to increase the current efficiency of the process. Furthermore, some RTILs stabilise the CO2- radical, thus decreasing the activation barrier for the first, often believed rate-determining, reaction step (CO2+ e → CO2-), which results in an increased energy efficiency. 

The project is a joint effort from experiment and theory to gain fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism and to utilise it for designing more efficient electrochemical systems (electrode materials and RTILs). Two PhD studentships are available for this project, one for computation supervised by Dr. Jun Cheng and the other for experiment supervised by Dr. Angel Cuesta. It is expected that the two PhD students will work closely to complement and enhance each other’s studies. The computational work will consist of further development of a new method for computation of the reaction energies of electron/proton transfer in CO2 reduction in RTILs and on electrode surfaces, investigation of reaction mechanisms using the new method, identification of reaction intermediates combining with experimental techniques, screening the optimal RTILs for stabilising the CO2- radical for experimental tryout, etc.

Applicants should have obtained (or expect to obtain) a UK Honours Degree (or equivalent) at 2.1 or above in Chemistry, Physics, Material Sciences or related disciplines. Candidates should be highly motivated, and show interests to learn computational techniques and explore new ideas, and willingness to communicate with experimentalists.

The start date of the project is October 2015.

Funding Notes:

Tuition fees will be paid at UK/EU rates only. A stipend will also be paid monthly in arrears for 2014/2015 this is £13,863. Applications will be accepted from International students providing they can meet the difference between UK/EU and International Tuition fees from their own resources for the duration of study. For 2014/2015 the difference is £12,100. If the difference cannot be met please DO NOT APPLY.

References:

Application procedure

Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply. You should apply for PhD in Chemistry, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing. Please ensure that you quote the project title and supervisor on the application form.

Informal inquiries can be made to Dr J Cheng ([email protected]) with a copy of your cover letter, curriculum vitae and research proposal. All general enquiries should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit ([email protected]).