PhD Studentship: Watching Catalysts in Action: Advanced Characterisation of Catalytic Processes

October 2018

PhD Description:

Catalysts play a crucial role in our current way of life; they increase the availability of food through nitrogen fixation, via the Haber-Bosch process, as well as playing a key role in the petrochemicals industry, amongst many other applications. As we move to the sustainable processes of the future, catalysts are going to play a vital role in enabling these emerging technologies. However, catalysts – often nanomaterials – are exceedingly dynamic and adapt on exposure to different environmental conditions. If we are to understand how a catalyst works, it is not sufficient to solely observe them in their pre-natal and post-mortem states, before and after catalysis, respectively. Instead, we need to observe them whilst they are acting as catalysts, this is to say under operando conditions. Furthermore, for plug-flow reactors this analysis cannot be a ‘single point’ measurement but must also be able to probe the spatial variation of catalyst structures across the reactant-product concentration gradient.

Within the research group, we have recently performed the first-ever spatially resolved, combined X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) / Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements. This is a unique combination of techniques that allows us to simultaneously assess catalyst structure and adsorbed surface species during catalysis. The goal of this project is to further develop and demonstrate the opportunities of this technology alongside performing catalysis research; i.e. preparing catalysts and testing their catalytic performance.

To make best use of the advanced characterisation techniques demanded by the project it will be based between the University of Southampton and the UK Catalysis Hub facility at the Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH); The RCaH is based on the world-leading Harwell Innovation Campus, which also hosts the UK’s national synchrotron and neutron source. 

This project is a unique opportunity to be at the frontier of materials characterisation and demonstrate how it can impact on future technologies; funding is for 3 years and requires applicants to have, or soon to obtain, at least an upper second class degree in Chemistry or relevant disciplines. Funding will cover fees and stipend at current research council rates.

Eligibility criteria can be found on the EPSRC website - https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/

General enquiries should be made ppwells@soton.ac.uk.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified