Description du sujet de thèse

The electrification of fossil-fuel-based processes in industry and transport requires new materials that can store and transduce electrical energy. Electrocatalytic and (photo)electrocatalytic materials offer a great opportunity to generate renewable fuels and chemicals, but enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of (photo)electrochemical reactions remains a big challenge.

Empirically, it is observed that defects, such as oxygen vacancies and polarons, play a key role in catalysis. These defects are thought to act as the catalytic active site. However, the exact mechanism by which defects impact chemical reactivity is poorly understood. This thesis will develop new tools to study the role that defects play in energy conversion solids. Specifically, the candidate will explore and develop new tools that use continuous and ultra-short pulses of light to visualise defects and manipulate them on demand.

This PhD project is at the interface between photo-(electro)catalysis and spectroscopy and will develop and implement new strategies, like optical control with photocurrent detection, to expose the role that defects play in key chemical reactions. Such reactions include the reduction of CO2 , the valorisation of organic compounds or the splitting of water to generate H2 . This thesis will rely on electrochemical, crystallography and time-resolved spectroscopy equipment available in Rennes. Moreover, it is likely that experimental time at large-scale facilities, such synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers, will also be needed.

Contexte de travail

We look for a very motivated candidate interested in working in a highly collaborative environment. The candidates should have basic knowledge and a desire to deepen their understanding in the fields of materials science, photonics, electrochemistry and photo-electrochemistry, as well as crystallography and ultrafast spectroscopy. They should be familiar with various experimental techniques such as spectroscopy (optical or X-ray) and X-ray diffraction. It is desirable for candidates to be acquainted with data processing programs (such as Python or similar) and be interested in developing experiments at large-scale facilities.

Contraintes et risques

The candidate will be working at the CNRS and specifically associated to the Materials and Light Department at the Institute of Physics of Rennes. We are a highly collaborative and international team with more than 20 researchers working in the areas of ultrafast spectroscopy, crystallography and energy conversion. Our research facilities include 4 ultrafast lasers, 2 diffraction spectrometers, sample deposition equipment as well as electrochemical capabilities. Our group has received funding by the ERC, the ANR or Rennes Metropole and the Department leads the CNRS international lab DYNACOM in partnership with the University of Tokyo.

Informations complémentaires

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