PhD position on the Crystal structure evolution at surfaces of perovskite electrocatalysts during cycling

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Departement: Departement Fysica
Regime Voltijds

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The EMAT research group at the Faculty of Science (University of Antwerp) is seeking to fill a PhD position on the Crystal structure evolution at surfaces of perovskite electrocatalysts during cycling  under the supervision of Professor Joke Hadermann.

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising source of green energy, but the high energy requirement of the oxygen evolution reaction necessitates the use of costly, scarce and unstable precious metal catalysts, which pose a challenge for large-scale implementation. To address this problem, this study focuses on optimizing perovskite-type oxides, which are a stable, adaptable, and low-cost alternative with good intrinsic oxygen evolution reaction activity. Specifically, we want to address the outstanding question of how the surface layers that form during operation depend on the bulk composition and how those layers contribute to the electrocatalytic properties. Our approach combines ex situ and in situ advanced transmission electron microscopy to characterize the crystal structure of individual volume elements within multiphase particles. This is combined with monitoring the electrocatalytic properties. This project will result in insights that will then be used, in collaboration with Professor Farshid Ramezanipour from the University of Louisville, US, for the further design and development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for water splitting. The role of the Ph.D. student is to perform electrocatalytic cycling with identical location TEM experiments as well as using electrochemical closed TEM cells, and determine the crystal structure evolution with a combination of TEM techniques. The student will similarly study the same materials cycled conventionally by Prof. Ramezanipour.  The Ph.D. student will connect the changes in the crystal structure of the surface layers to changes in the electrocatalytic properties.

Research group

EMAT is one of the leading electron microscopy centers in the world and has a vast expertise in both fundamental and applied electron microscopy. EMAT has several state of the art electron microscopes including three aberration corrected, high end FEI-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, an environmental SEM,... EMAT is also a pioneer in in situ 3D ED studies, as will be important in this project. More about us at our webpage.

Position

• You will design and perform electrocatalytic experiments for identical location TEM on perovskite type materials.
• You will use in situ electrochemical MEMS chips to perform in situ electrocatalytic TEM experiments on perovskite type materials.
• You will determine the crystal structure evolution at the surface of the cycled electrocatalyst perovskites using a combination of 3DED, 4D-STEM tomography, atomic resolution imaging with HAADF-STEM and HRTEM and EDX and EELS spectroscopy.
• You will perform solution and refinement of crystal structures from electron diffraction data.
• You will derive the relation between the changes in the perovskite structure during cycling and the changes in the electrocatalytic properties.

General

• The PhD candidate will prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of sciences.
• You publish scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment.
• You present your work at national and international workshops and conferences.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or Materials Science  or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You have experience with performing electrocatalysis.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are enthusiastic and greatly interested in electron microscopy.
• You are greatly interested in the determination of crystal structures using crystallographic techniques.
• You have affinity with experimental work and show good practical skills.
• You have an inherent drive to keep learning new skills.

What we offer

• A doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another 3 years.
• Research on an exciting project aimed at unravelling outstanding questions on electrocatalysts.
• The preferred starting date is as soon as possiblebut will be adapted to the selected candidate’s availability.
• You will do most of your work at campus Groenenborger, where you will have the opportunity to be immersed in a world-class, dynamic and stimulating work environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation and computing facilities (see also emat.uantwerpen.be/).
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including January 30^th 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV (including followed courses, honours, previous work, programming skills, publications, internships, experience with electrocatalytic measurements,…)
  • contact info of 2 professional references
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Joke Hadermann, joke.hadermann@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.