Informations générales
Intitulé de l'offre : PhD in chemistry of materials (M/W) (H/F)
Référence : UMR8520-FRELEF-163
Nombre de Postes : 1
Lieu de travail : VILLENEUVE D ASCQ
Date de publication : lundi 4 septembre 2023
Type de contrat : CDD Doctorant/Contrat doctoral
Durée du contrat : 36 mois
Date de début de la thèse : 1 décembre 2023
Quotité de travail : Temps complet
Rémunération : 2 135,00 € gross monthly
Section(s) CN : Materials, nanomaterials and processes chemistry
Description du sujet de thèse
The proposal combines simulations and experimental approaches to design copper (Cu)-based plasmonic active nanostructures and their applications for the electrochemical generation of the same fuel or chemical at both the cathode and anode of a hybrid electrolyzer through respectively CO2 reduction and biomass-derived sugars' oxidation into formate/formic acid, a promising liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC). The Cu-based nanostructures will be fabricated using nanosphere or optical lithography. In this project, we target Cu nanohole arrays coated with bismuth nanoparticles,. Their plasmon properties will be assessed using UV-vis spectrophotometry. A simulation study will help to choose the appropriate features (hole size and separation, Cu layer thickness,…) to generate a plasmon band that matches the solar spectrum. The electrochemical performance of the developed electrodes for CO2 reduction (cathode) and biomass-derived sugars oxidation (anode) without and under visible light irradiation will be systematically studied and the generated products will be quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Finally, a pump-probe spectroscopic study will be conducted to elucidate the photo-reactivity of hot electrons during the photo-electrochemical processes.
Contexte de travail
The work is funded by the ANR and gathers 4 partners including IEMN (simulations, materials fabrication, and electrocatalysis), CINTRA (electrode fabrication and biomass-derived sugars reforming), LASIRE (femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy) and UCCS (synthesis of biomass-derived precursors).
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 candidate is expected to have expertise in optical lithography
Knowledge of electrochemistry is a plus but not necessary