[NanoIC topic] 2D nanocrystals as water-tight ionic membranes for low-temperature CO2 electrolysis

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; Remote; EUR 6,700 - 10,000; Full time

Job summary

Imec invites applications for a Master internship in Leuven focusing on 2D nanocrystals as water-tight ionic membranes for low-temperature CO2 electrolysis. The project screens 2D materials in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode stack and evaluates them in an electrolyzer, using techniques like ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS, Raman, impedance, ICP-MS and GC.

Chemistry/Engineering and related fields are required.

Qualifications

• Required educational background includes Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy, Materials Engineering, Physics, and Nanoscience & Nanotechnology.

Responsibilities

• Systematic screening of 2D nanomaterials integrated in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode assembly.
• Characterization of deposited layer with ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS and Raman spectroscopy.
• Assess conductivity with impedance measurements; measure water/electrolyte permeability; quantify ion transport with ICP-MS and GC.

Education

Chemistry

Chemical Engineering

Energy

Materials Engineering

Physics

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Job description

/ [NanoIC topic] 2D nanocrystals as water-tight ionic membranes for low-temperature CO2 electrolysis

[NanoIC topic] 2D nanocrystals as water-tight ionic membranes for low-temperature CO2 electrolysis

Master internship - Leuven | More than two weeks ago

Imec's technology solution to the challenges related to CO2 conversion and carbon-neutral economy

ElectrochemicalCO 2 reduction is an attractive option in the field of sustainableenergy system, as it turns waste into useful chemical fuels, thus closing thecarbon cycle and moving towards a carbon-neutral economy. Electrolyzers are akey technology for electrochemical CO 2 conversion, but several oftheir components still require significant improvement to achieve higherefficiency and durability. One critical element is the membrane, whoseperformance is strongly governed by its ion permeability and conductivity.

The majordrawback with CO 2 electrolyzers is the low solubility of CO 2 in aqueous electrolytes. Moving from the liquid phase to the purely vapourphase CO 2 electrolysis is an advantageous move. However, the celllifetime is still limited by excess water transport and flooding of the gasdiffusion electrode. In addition, there are other factors such as the transportof cations and carbonate leading to undesired precipitation which further reducelifetime and productivity. Therefore, a purely vapour phase electrolyserrequires certain improvements, including controlled water and ion transportthrough the membrane.

By implementingfundamental research on nanomaterials, combined with engineering principles,the properties of membranes can be systematically improved. One promisingapproach is the introduction of a thin -film barrier layer in the electrolyzer, based on inorganic 2Dnanocrystals. This can offer a controlled watertransport through the membrane, which behave as a solid electrolyte, offeringhigh protonic conductivity and ultimately lowering the cell voltage. This canalso act as a selective layer for specific ion transport, which reduces cellvoltage further. This makes a meaningful improvement towards the long-termstability of the cell. Henceforth, the implementation of such thin-film barrierlayer, in electrochemical devices such as fuel cell or electrolyzers is apromising and advantageous step.

Work description: The student will perform systematic screeningof 2D nanomaterials integrated in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode assembly andtested in the electrolyzer system at imec. Techniques such as wet chemistryand solid-state synthesis will be used for the preparation of 2D nanocrystals.The deposited layer will be characterized by ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS, andRaman spectroscopy. The conductivity of the layer will be assessed using impedancemeasurements. Water/electrolyte permeability of the deposited layer will bemeasured in an external cell under varying gas pressure. The ion’s transport will be quantified byICP-MS and gas chromatograph, respectively. Initial experiments will beconducted on planar electrodes, and then the optimized system will be implementedon advanced nanomesh electrodes developed at imec.

Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Energy, Materials Engineering, Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-089. Mention this reference code in your application.

ElectrochemicalCO 2 reduction is an attractive option in the field of sustainableenergy system, as it turns waste into useful chemical fuels, thus closing thecarbon cycle and moving towards a carbon-neutral economy. Electrolyzers are akey technology for electrochemical CO 2 conversion, but several oftheir components still require significant improvement to achieve higherefficiency and durability. One critical element is the membrane, whoseperformance is strongly governed by its ion permeability and conductivity.

The majordrawback with CO 2 electrolyzers is the low solubility of CO 2 in aqueous electrolytes. Moving from the liquid phase to the purely vapourphase CO 2 electrolysis is an advantageous move. However, the celllifetime is still limited by excess water transport and flooding of the gasdiffusion electrode. In addition, there are other factors such as the transportof cations and carbonate leading to undesired precipitation which further reducelifetime and productivity. Therefore, a purely vapour phase electrolyserrequires certain improvements, including controlled water and ion transportthrough the membrane.

By implementingfundamental research on nanomaterials, combined with engineering principles,the properties of membranes can be systematically improved. One promisingapproach is the introduction of a thin -film barrier layer in the electrolyzer, based on inorganic 2Dnanocrystals. This can offer a controlled watertransport through the membrane, which behave as a solid electrolyte, offeringhigh protonic conductivity and ultimately lowering the cell voltage. This canalso act as a selective layer for specific ion transport, which reduces cellvoltage further. This makes a meaningful improvement towards the long-termstability of the cell. Henceforth, the implementation of such thin-film barrierlayer, in electrochemical devices such as fuel cell or electrolyzers is apromising and advantageous step.

Work description: The student will perform systematic screeningof 2D nanomaterials integrated in the electrolyte/membrane/electrode assembly andtested in the electrolyzer system at imec. Techniques such as wet chemistryand solid-state synthesis will be used for the preparation of 2D nanocrystals.The deposited layer will be characterized by ellipsometry, PXRD, SEM, XPS, andRaman spectroscopy. The conductivity of the layer will be assessed using impedancemeasurements. Water/electrolyte permeability of the deposited layer will bemeasured in an external cell under varying gas pressure. The ion’s transport will be quantified byICP-MS and gas chromatograph, respectively. Initial experiments will beconducted on planar electrodes, and then the optimized system will be implementedon advanced nanomesh electrodes developed at imec.

Contacts : [e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

Type of internship: Master internship

Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Energy, Materials Engineering, Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Matias Jobbagy ( [e-mail] ) and Debittree Choudhury ( [e-mail] )

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-089. Mention this reference code in your application.