PhD: Tandem Catalysts for Selective Acidic CO2 Electrolysis

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition fees covered

Tax-free stipend

Job summary

University of Exeter invites applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship focused on advanced Cu-based and tandem catalysts for selective acidic CO₂ electrolysis, aiming for multicarbon products like ethylene.

The project will explore how catalyst composition, nanostructure, supports, and spatial arrangement influence performance, with hands-on synthesis, materials characterization, and electrochemical testing in gas-diffusion and flow-cell setups.

Qualifications

• First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or a related discipline.
• Experience in electrochemistry, catalysis or materials synthesis would be beneficial but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize catalysts and characterize materials for CO₂ electrolysis.
• Perform electrochemical testing using gas-diffusion electrodes and flow-cell systems.
• Evaluate catalyst performance in terms of selectivity, rate, and stability.
• Link materials development with electrolysis performance under practical operating conditions.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Catalysis

Materials synthesis

Education

First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related discipline

Job description

University of Exeter invites applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship focused on advanced Cu-based and tandem catalysts for selective acidic CO₂ electrolysis, aiming for multicarbon products like ethylene.

The project will explore how catalyst composition, nanostructure, supports, and spatial arrangement influence performance, with hands-on synthesis, materials characterization, and electrochemical testing in gas-diffusion and flow-cell setups.