Missions

At the CNRS, in IC2MP (Poitiers Institute of Chemistry : Materials and Natural Resources), the SAMCat team (From the Active Site to the Catalytic Material) is recruiting a post-doctoral researcher in order to work on the high temperature electrochemical decomposition of NH3.
Ammonia (NH3) is a molecule that can be considered as an important energetic vector for the hydrogen industry, its decomposition reaction generating only N2 and H2. In this context, it is necessary to realize this CO2 free reaction by using an efficient and cost effective technology. The HADES project (ANR France-Germany) aims at developing efficient catalysts for the NH3 cracking reaction to N2 and H2 as well as an electrochemical conversion system using Proton Conducting Ceramic cells at high temperature. This technology will allow both the separation and compression of hydrogen. The proposed research subject consists in the study of elementary mechanisms for the NH3 cracking reaction in these systems by using various techniques such as electrochemistry, spectroscopy and catalysis.

Activités

The main activities will be:
• To develop an experimental test setup for the high temperature electrochemical ammonia cracking with the help of the engineering platform.
• To conduct the electrolysis experiments, chemical characterization (gas chromatography, mass spectrometry) as well as electrochemical characterization (polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, conductivity measurements…) on ceramic cells produced by the project partner's and optimizing the experimental procedures.
• To interpret the experimental data and to present them in reports and meetings.
• To detect troubleshooting issues and interact with technical platform for repairing and maintaining of experimental devices.
• To write/participate to the writing of scientific articles.

Compétences

The expected skills and knowledge are those of a PhD in Chemical Physics / electrochemistry and more precisely the following ones:
• Very good knowledge in solid state electrochemistry. Background in proton conducting cells and/or heterogeneous catalysis would be appreciated.
• Autonomous mastery of SOEC/SOFC reactors.
• Very good knowledge in physico-chemical analytical techniques, in particular gas-phase chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Very good ability for critical analysis of experimental data and for presentation of scientific results.
• Thorough knowledge of health and safety rules related to the field of intervention.
• Very good command of English (listening, writing and speaking). Knowledge in German would be appreciated.

Contexte de travail

IC2MP is a joint unit of research from CNRS and University of Poitiers with 250 people including c.a. 100 researchers localized in the main campus of the University. The SAMCat team is specialised in the design and physico-chemical characterization of catalytic and electro-catalytic materials for environmental (pollution abatement from air/water) and energetic (bio-fuel, fuel cells, electrolysis,…) applications.
The present work will be developed in the framework of the French – German “HADES” research project funded by ANR involving several partners. The post-doc will work under the supervision of the HADES project leader and will participate to the discussions with the project partners (meetings in France and in Germany).

Contraintes et risques

Risks linked to the handling of gas-phase hydrogen