PhD Position in 3D Porous Model Systems for Electrocatalysis

The Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS), and more specifically a collaboration between the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis and the Physical and Colloid Chemistry, offers an opportunity for a PhD candidate on a four-year research project on 3D porous model materials for electrocatalysis.

Your job

The energy transition requires the development of efficient energy materials, such as materials that help to efficiently convert CO2 and H2O to sustainable fuels and platform molecules, using renewable electricity. The electrodes are nanoporous, and under working conditions display a complex interplay between electrical potentials and currents, mass transport in the electrolyte, and a charged solid-liquid interface. The design of the electrode composition, as well the morphology and interfacial properties, is critical. Embedded in a materials and catalysis group you will develop porous model systems to unravel the influence of these different factors, and contribute to the design of more effective electrodes.

The aim of this project is to develop 3D model porous electrodes (coin metals and/or graphitic) and to use them to access the impact of nanopore-confinement and interface properties on speciation, spatial distribution and mobility of the relevant electrolyte species. Direct interaction, mostly electrostatic, of ions and solvent molecules with atoms and charges of the solid surface is substantially different in confinement compared to near a flat electrode-electrolyte interface. The huge surface-to-volume ratio for pores smaller than 10 nm will thus give rise to interfacial effects that will in fact extend over a large fraction of the electrolyte that is contained in the nanopores.

Although the impact of confinement on the physical properties of pure substances such as water is relatively well described, there is little information on the impact of confinement on electrolytes, i.e. including dissolved ions and molecules. We are interested in using well-defined and tunable 3D nanoporous systems (metals such as Au/Ag/CuOx and/or graphitic carbon) to address some for the following questions:

• How do the properties of (hydrated or complexed) ions and solvent molecules, and hence physical properties such as solubility and speciation change due to their restriction to a pore with a limited size?
• How is this influenced by the surface termination/groups, for instance using a clean, graphene like surface, or a carbon surface highly functionalised with oxidic (polar, hydrophilic) or nitrogen groups?
• Can we access the influence on mass transport, for instance by microcalorimetry and by visualizing metal cation gradients by plunge freezing and cryoTEM?
• Can we translate this to better understand the influence of porosity on different length scales on the CO2 reduction reaction?

You will be trained in materials preparation, characterisation and electrochemical testing, and will have the opportunity to visit specialised winter/summer schools. You are expected to consolidate the research outcomes in scientific papers that will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, and to present the results at international conferences. You will also have the opportunity to (co)supervise Master's and Bachelor's theses.

Your qualities

You are a collaborative and enthusiastic colleague with a scientific background in chemistry, materials science or physics, and preferably with a solid background in electrochemistry.

Our offer

• A stimulating scientific environment where you will have ample opportunity to develop your own research ideas on the topic;
• a position for four years;
• a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.