Missions

Spin conversion materials (SCOs) switch between electronic states under the effect of temperature or pressure. With the large entropy changes associated with an abrupt transition, this class of compounds seems ideal for recently developed innovative solid-state cooling technologies, barocaloric (hydrostatic pressure) or elastocaloric (anisotropic deformation). We have developed expertise in the fundamental applications of hydrostatic pressure to spin-conversion materials and have recently devised a fundamental approach for sintering soft molecular materials into centimetre-sized ceramics.
We are studying these materials to design a heat exchanger as part of an ambitious European innovation project on refrigeration technologies with lower greenhouse gas emissions than current vapour compression technology. Our approach to sintering, which is essential for incorporating these materials, requires an in-depth understanding of the (p,T) phase diagram of the materials of interest, before, during and after the sintering process. This project will aim to select, synthesise and study the crystallographic, calorimetric, spectroscopic and magnetic properties at variable T and p of materials suitable for barocaloric refrigeration: abrupt SCO and reduced thermal hysteresis near ambient temperature.

Activités

- Synthesis work
- literature search for suitable spin transition complexes
- organic synthesis
- synthesis of coordination complexes
- internal and external collaboration on the development of sustainable/scale-up syntheses

- Characterisation of the compounds obtained
- chemical (NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis)
- physics (FTIR, UV-VIS, Raman spectroscopy, magnetometry, X-ray diffraction on powder/single crystal)

- Phase diagrams (p,T)
- variable temperature transition studies (Raman spectroscopy, magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, calorimetry)
- isothermal studies at variable pressure (Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction)
- magnetometric studies (variable p,T)
- participation in the development of a magnetometer for isothermal measurements at variable pressure (primary objective), or even isobaric measurements at variable temperature (additional objective)

- Study of the sintering process
- physical (Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal diffusivity) and morphological (BET, electron microscopy, tomography) characterisation of pellets obtained by sintering
- study of the variable temperature transition of pellets (Raman spectroscopy, magnetometry, X-ray diffraction)
- study of the variable pressure transition

- Calorimetric study under pressure
- preliminary characterisation on microCalvet calorimeter
- more detailed study in external collaboration with Barcelona

Compétences

Qualifications/skills required
- PhD or equivalent (Bac+8) in Chemical Sciences or Physical Sciences or Materials Sciences or equivalent
- Solid background in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry
- Expertise or familiarity with physical characterisation methods: spectroscopy and/or magnetometry and/or X-ray diffraction applied to crystallography
- Expertise or familiarity with the application of pressure as a thermodynamic parameter for the physical study of compounds
- Fluency in written and spoken French and English B2/C1 essential

Required qualities
- Strong sense of rigour and organisation
- initiative, dynamism, responsiveness and autonomy
- Ability to work in a team and in an intercultural environment
- Management of multi-level collaborations (local, national, international)
- Writing skills (scientific publications, manuscripts)
- oral presentation and communication skills in front of an expert audience or the general public

Contexte de travail

Created in 1995, the Bordeaux Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry (ICMCB) focuses its research on Solid State Chemistry, Materials Science and Chemistry and Process: designing, preparing, shaping and characterizing materials in order to discover, control and optimize specific functions. The ICMCB carries out fundamental research on model materials and/or materials with potential applications.
The ICMCB is a UMR with an average of 270 agents (permanent and non-permanent), with 3 tutelles, hosted by the CNRS and in total ZRR. The position is located in a sector covered by the Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PSTP), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that the arrival of the agent be authorized by the competent authority of MESR.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

The researcher will carry out synthesis in organic and inorganic chemistry, and above all will be required to use pressurised equipment, within the framework of the laboratory's safety measures. He/she will be required to present his/her results on a regular basis as part of the MolBaroFrige and FROSTBIT consortia, and to travel as part of the collaboration on these two projects.