Are you passionate about electrochemical engineering and materials for electrochemical conversion?
We offer a challenging PhD position in our group on “High pressure CO2 electrolysis”.
You will carry out research on materials for electrochemical conversion and electrochemical engineering within the largest program in Europe on green carbon conversion, i.e., the Dutch consortium HyCARB.
Converting CO2 into valuable chemicals using renewable electricity is a key challenge for the sustainable chemical industry. Electrochemical CO2 conversion offers a promising pathway to utilize renewable energy while producing essential chemical building blocks. However, achieving selective and efficient production of specific molecules remains a major scientific challenge.
This PhD project aims to develop a new electrochemical route for converting CO2 (or CO) into formate / formaldehyde, important platform chemicals for the chemical industry. By enabling the direct production of formate / formaldehyde from carbon-based feedstocks using renewable electricity, the project contributes to the development of sustainable chemical manufacturing and carbon utilization technologies.
The research will focus on the development of novel electrocatalyst materials and electrochemical reactor concepts. In particular, the project will explore high-pressure continuous flow electrochemical cells and advanced electrode materials to enable efficient conversion of CO2 to formate / formaldehyde.
To understand how catalyst properties and operating conditions determine product selectivity, energy efficiency, and system stability, as a PhD candidate, you will:
- Design and synthesize novel electrode materials for electrochemical CO2 conversion.
- Perform electrochemical testing and product analysis.
- Develop and operate high-pressure continuous flow electrochemical cells.
- Apply in situ spectro-electrochemical techniques to study reaction mechanisms.
- Relate catalyst properties and operating conditions to selectivity, energy efficiency, and system stability.
- Publish results in scientific journals and present at international conferences.
The project combines fundamental mechanistic research with applied reactor engineering, aiming to move the technology from early proof-of-concept towards higher technological maturity.
During the project, you will:
- Gain expertise in electrocatalysis, electrochemical reactor engineering, and advanced spectroscopy.
- Work in a large national research consortium with academic and industrial partners.
- Build an international research network and present your work at conferences.
- Develop both fundamental scientific insight and applied engineering skills.
- Receive mentoring to support your academic or industrial career.
You will work in Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Twente, also in collaboration with researchers within the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology. The project will be supervised by Marco Altomare and Guido Mul, who will support you in developing your scientific profile, publishing your work, and building your professional network.
The project is part of the HyCARB program within the GroenvermogenNL initiative, involving a large network of academic and industrial partners across the Netherlands.