General information
Offer title : CDD Doctoral student (M/F) in heterogeneous catalysis/non-thermal plasmas (H/F)
Reference : UMR7285-CARNOE-058
Number of position : 1
Workplace : POITIERS
Date of publication : 16 April 2025
Type of Contract : FTC PhD student / Offer for thesis
Contract Period : 36 months
Start date of the thesis : 1 October 2025
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : 2200 gross monthly
Section(s) CN : 14 - Coordination chemistry, catalysis, interfaces, and processes
Description of the thesis topic
The PhD project is part of the PEPR SPLEEN program funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). The research will be conducted at the Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP). The objective is to investigate the synthesis of ammonia via non-thermal plasma-assisted catalysis.
Catalytic materials synthesized at UCCS in Lille will be tested in a plasma reactor developed in the laboratory. The active phases of the catalysts will consist of transition metal oxides deposited on supports such as alumina or silica, oxides with a low dielectric constant, making them suitable for plasma-catalysis coupling. These materials will be thoroughly characterized before and after reaction under plasma discharge conditions.
The non-thermal plasma ammonia synthesis reaction will be performed at atmospheric pressure and low temperature (T < 300°C). A parametric study will be carried out to optimize NH₃ yields by investigating reaction temperature, power input, and catalyst nature. The results will be expressed in terms of reactant conversion and ammonia selectivity. Additionally, a kinetic study will be conducted to determine the partial reaction orders with respect to N₂ and H₂, as well as the activation energy of the reaction.
In this PhD project, the candidate will be required to:
• Write a bibliographic report highlighting significant advances in the field of ammonia production under plasma discharge.
• Perform catalytic tests under plasma discharge conditions.
• Analyze and process the obtained data.
Work Context
The work will be carried out at the CNRS at the Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP - UMR CNRS 7285 - https://ic2mp.labo.univ-poitiers.fr/) in the Catalysis and Unconventional Media team under the guidance of the scientific manager.
The candidate will be attached to the Rosalind Franklin doctoral school in Poitiers.
Le/la candidat(e) sera rattaché(e) à l'école doctorale Rosalind Franklin à Poitiers.
Constraints and risks
Occasional travel (in France or abroad) for congresses or consortium meetings is to be expected.
The candidate will be subject to the laboratory's internal rules and regulations concerning health and safety.