[OFER-TRABEC] NAC: PhD Felloship: Regime-selected morphological...

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---Procedencia:
Institución:CIC Energigune
Contacto correo-e:info@cicenergigune.com
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PhD Felloship: Regime-selected morphological patterns during the electrodeposition of catalytic nanoparticles

Supervisors: Dr. Sofía Pérez-Villar and Dr. Carmen M. López

Goal: The goal of this project is to synthesize, characterize and test metallic and oxide nanoparticles with complex tridimensional morphologies as growth-catalysts for carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The assembly of nanoparticles-CNTs will be then processed and tested as air cathode for Li-air batteries.

Approach: Metallic nanoparticles will be synthetized by electrochemical deposition on aluminum current collectors using template-free methods. In this technique, the morphology of the electrodeposit can be tailored by adjusting the electrodeposition parameters to select the kinetic regime: near-equilibrium or far from equilibrium, and thus to systematically control the morphology. The growth-catalyst electrodeposits with different chemical compositions and morphologies will then be used as substrate for growing CNTs, and the whole assembly tested as air-cathode in Li-air batteries. The techniques to be used include: electrochemical deposition in non-aqueous media, glove box use, electrochemical characterization including: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling, and post-mortem analysis of cycled batteries, together with other commonly-used materials science characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, DSC, TGA, Raman and
FTIR-spectroscopy,).

Interest of the project: One of the greatest challenges for cathode materials for Li-air batteries is the design of an efficient porous structure. The target for this cathode is a hierarchical porosity that permits accumulation of insoluble discharge products while maintaining optimal oxygen transport to sustain a good discharge rate. Air cathodes based on CNTs have shown promise however, a method for precisely controlling the CNTs morphologies and surface properties is still lacking. It has been demonstrated that controlling the size and distribution of CNTs growth-catalyst has profound effect in the growth of the CNTs. Most studies up to date have been limited to spherical or qua si-spherical nanoparticles. However, the utilization of dendritic and faceted nanocrystals has not been investigated in depth, and it may provide an alternative for the systematic control of CNTs growth. Electrochemical deposition is a particularly well suited method to grow nanostructured par
ticles with a high degree of morphological control as it provides a variety of easily adjustable parameters, the mechanisms of electrodeposition are well understood, and it is an easily scalable synthetic method.


What we offer

Eligible candidates must be registered master students at the UPV/EHU or at other European Universities and being eligible for pre-doctoral fellowship programs.

The contract will commence between September and November 2012. By then, the student should hold the Master degree to have access to the PhD program of a University.

Interested candidates please e-mail the supervisor with its reference in the subject including the following information:

A cover letter
Your CV including the BA/BSc qualification on a scale of 1-4
Names (including e-mail address) of at least two referees
(*) for non-european candidates, the position will be available only once researchers obtain all the immigration permits.


What we need

1.- Conditions

- Eligible students: candidates must hold a Master degree before the PhD fellowship begins
- National and international candidates are elegible.
- English and skill communications would be particularly valuable.
- Candidates should be highly motivated to pursue a scientific career
- Length: 3 years
- Economical offer: 18.500 € gross per year (aprox. 15.000 net)
- Funding:
* 5 best researchers evaluated: CIC Energigune will assume the investment based on its internal funds. Nevertheless those candidates will be encouraged to apply for grants.
* Other candidates: CIC Energigune will evaluate the possibility of offering a position based on obtaining a grant.


2.- Estimated cost of living in Vitoria

Items
Per Student Per Month (SGD)

Food
200

Accommodation - per person based on appartment sharing (own bedroom)
250 - 400

Transport Expenses (local)
40

Total Estimated Cost of Living
490 -640



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Información complementaria de la oferta:
Apply by website: www.cicenergigune.com
Offer valid until 15th July, 2012.

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