PD Development/evaluation gas diffusion electrodes for green hydrogen production

Scientific aim:

The development of efficient, sustainable and flexible energy systems is a key challenge for Europe's energy decarbonisation and a corner stone of Europe's 2050 climate-neutrality goal, set out in the European Green Deal. In this context, competitive green hydrogen production is expected to play a key role.

Conventional green H2 production from water electrolysis suffers from the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction and/or the use of critical raw materials. In the frame of the EU project (ELOBIO: ELectrochemical Oxidation of BIOmass) we propose to replace water oxidation with oxidation of targeted organic molecules aiming to two directions. Firstly to reduce the electricity consumption implementing less-energy (available as biomass)intensive reactions, both from a thermodynamic and kinetic point of view. Secondly to generate value-added molecular compounds after oxidation. To achieve this goal, it is however necessary to engineer electrocatalysts and electrolysis cells optimised for the targeted electrochemical process.

Responsibilities and tasks:

The research tasks are highly interdisciplinary and will perfectly align with emerging research lines and granted projects at DIFFER.

• Synthesis of perovskite materials with specific composition in order to enable the concept of exsolution for nanostructuring
• Development of gas diffusion electrode and physical-, chemical- and structural characterization (XRD, XPS, SEM)
• Fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies and evaluation for oxidation of organic molecules in electrolysis cells
• Preparation of scientific papers and conference communications.
• Supervision of bachelor and master students.
• Contribution to the scientific and collaborative research environment at DIFFER.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a qualified and motivated candidate that meets the following requirements:

• PhD in electrochemistry or physical chemistry or chemical engineering or material science.
• Practical experience in the areas of electrocatalysis, material synthesis, alkaline water electrolysis or polymeric membrane fuel cells or electrolysers
• Strong communication skills and attitude to participate successfully in multidisciplinary projects
• Ability to work well individually and as a team member
• Good communication skills in English (both written and spoken)

This position is for 1 FTE, will be for a period of 2 years and is graded in pay scale 10. The position will be based at DIFFER (www.differ.nl) and the working location will be at TU Eindhoven. When fulfilling a position at DIFFER, you will have an employee status at NWO. You can participate in all the employee benefits NWO offers. We have a number of regulations that support employees in finding a good work-life balance. At DIFFER we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to apply. More information on working at NWO can be found at the NWO website (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/)

The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) performs leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure. We work in close partnership with (inter)national academia and industry. Our user facilities are open to industry and university researchers. As an institute of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) DIFFER plays a key role in fundamental research for the energy transition.

We use a multidisciplinary approach applicable on two key areas, solar fuels for the conversion and storage of renewable energy and nuclear fusion - as a clean source of energy.