Missions

In this project, the feasibility of in situ light scattering measurements, developed at CORIA for soot, will be proven for the first time on TiO2 (titanium dioxide) nanoparticles to obtain information on the gyration diameter of aggregates in laminar flames. During the project, quantitative measurements of elastic light scattering will be carried out in the laboratory for the first time. In order to verify the accuracy of the measurement, we will initially consider a classical context for light scattering, i.e. the case of soot production in ethylene/air. Then, the technique will be implemented on the CHANCE flame used for TiO2 production under laminar conditions. Finally, TiO2 production in turbulent conditions will be studied using the different optical diagnostics developed in the laboratory (laser-induced incandescence and elastic light scattering).

Activities

The different tasks are:
* Literature review
* Implementation of the light scattering diagnostic at EM2C
* Parametric studies of the nanoparticle characteristics as function of the operating conditions and local environment conditions

Skills

Applicants for PhD appointment will hold a PhD in Mechanical Engineering/Energetics/Physics. The position requires strong willing to develop experimental skills in the combustion field and/or optical diagnostics for nanoparticles. Good oral and written communication skills to report, to present in congress and to write articles for scientific journals.

Work Context

The proposed activity is part of the TOSCaNA project (Flame Spray Pyrolysis of metal-oxides: TOward Size and morphological Control of flame-synthesized NAnoparticles by combining experimental and numerical approaches ), funded in 2024 by ANR – The French National Research Agency.
Nanoparticle (NP) synthesis is a viable way of pursuing the production of next-generation materials. To enable their industrial use, technologies enabling large-scale, low-cost production of NPs with optimized characteristics are essential. For this, FSP (flame spray pyrolysis) systems are a promising option, but precise control of turbulent combustion is required as it governs particle characteristics such as size and morphology, which largely determine the performance of the final material. For this reason, CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) numerical simulation, providing unique and complementary information to experiments, is an essential tool for the rational design of nanoparticles, whose manufacture is generally based on “trial & error” methods. Thus, the aim of TOSCaNA is to develop an experimental approach and a CFD formalism for predicting the size and morphology of metal oxides synthesized via a flame. In this context, this thesis will focus on the development of in-situ elastic light scattering measurements for metal oxides produced in flames.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.