Description of the thesis topic

Nanocellulose ionic membranes for blue energy Objectives: To study the chemistry and processes for grafting reactive polyelectrolytes onto the surface of nanocellulose, thereby obtaining ionic membranes. To establish the relationship between the composition and nanostructure of the nanocellulose ionic membrane and its ability to collect blue energy. Methodology. Chemistry of the membrane grafting (titration, FTIR, solid-state NMR), characterisation of the membrane nanostructure (swelling coefficient, electron microscopy, small-angle radiation scattering on large instruments), capacity of the membrane to capture blue energy (in collaboration with Sweetch Energy, a pioneering start-up in the field of blue energy). The polyelectrolytes will be supplied by the IMP laboratory in Lyon. We are looking for a physical chemist (M/F) with a degree in chemistry or materials science. Experience in bio-based materials and polymer chemistry would be appreciated. The person recruited should have a good command of English and be prepared to take part in an interdisciplinary project.

Work Context

The CERMAV (Centre de Recherche sur la MAcromolécule Végétale) of the CNRS-Université Grenoble Alpes is a fundamental research laboratory in glycosciences. CERMAV's multidisciplinary approach covers the specialities of chemistry, materials science, physical chemistry and biology. Scientific background: Blue energy is a renewable, non-intermittent energy source derived from the salinity gradients between freshwater (river) and saltwater (sea), whose potential (1 TW) far exceeds that of hydroelectricity, for example. It can be converted into electricity by reverse electrodialysis, a technology based on the use of anionic and cationic membranes.(1) The membranes currently available are non-renewable and offer poor performance for harvesting blue energy due to an unsuitable nanostructure and the impossibility of adjusting critical membrane parameters (ionic composition and spatial distribution, pore size). In order to overcome these problems, we propose a new membrane design based on the use of nanocellulose, which will provide a biosourced nanostructured network once hydrated,(2) combined with grafted polyelectrolytes that will provide the ion transport properties (3). The aim of this thesis is to establish the full potential of such an approach. Réferences. [1] Jang, J., Kang, Y., Han, J. H., Jang, K., Kim, C. M., & Kim, I. S. (2020). Developments and future prospects of reverse electrodialysis for salinity gradient power generation: Influence of ion exchange membranes and electrodes. Desalination, 491, 114540. [2] Nicolas, M., Serghei, A., Lucas, C., Beyou, E., & Fumagalli, M. (2023). Grafting of polyamines onto periodate oxidized nanocellulose, and its application to the fabrication of ionic nanopapers. Polymer, 270, 125760. [3] Nicolas, M., Beyou, E., & Fumagalli, M. (2021). Two-step synthesis of polystyrene sulfonate-based copolymers bearing pendant primary amines. European Polymer Journal, 152, 110455.
Working environment: The thesis will be carried out within the Structure and Properties of Glycomaterials research team at Cermav (www.cermav.cnrs.fr), in collaboration with the partners in the ANR Cellosmo project (IMP and Symmes laboratories, Sweetch Energy start-up). Benefits associated with this position include - on-site inter-company restaurant with subsidised rates - partial reimbursement of transport costs up to 75%, sustainable mobility package (between €100 and €300/year, contribution to health insurance) - site accessible by public transport (tram B), private car park and bicycle shelters - holiday / RTT: 44 days/year (prorated to the duration of the fixed-term contract) - 38.30 hours per week - sustainable development policy.