| KEYWORD |
Optimization of an electrocatalytic systems for the CO2 conversion to high-added value products
keywords CATALISYS, CO2 CONVERSION, ELECTROCATALYSIS, ELECTROCHEMISTRY, MEMBRANES, SYNTHESIS
Reference persons HILMAR DEL CARMEN GUZMAN MEDINA, SIMELYS PRIS HERNANDEZ RIBULLEN
Research Groups AA - CO2 reduction for a low-carbon economy, CREST, Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di To
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL
Description The thesis student will work in the test of electrodes (containing innovative catalysts synthesized in our laboratories or coming from other European centers) for the electrochemical conversion of CO2. These electrodes will be tested in different reactor configurations, thus, in gas difussion electrode (GDE) systems or integrated with proton/anionic or bipolar exchange membranes, in so-called membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEA). The catalyst deposition will be optimized with different ink formulations by using scalable techniques such as spray-coating (with a new automatized instrument). Subsequently, electrocatalytic activity and stability tests will be carried out for the conversion of CO2 into products with high added value (eg hydrocarbons, alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and other oxygenated molecules). New prototypes of electrochemical cells developed within European and industrial projects will be used for the tests.
Moreover, different characterization techniques of materials will be used for their physico-chemical analysis, such as X-ray diffraction, porosimetry and surface area analysis; and various analytical instruments will be employed for electrochemical tests and analysis of reaction products, such as gas chromatographs.
The experimental activities will take place at the SOLAR FUELS LAB, at DISAT, and concern ongoing activities on European projects (e.g. the SUNCOCHEM project: https://suncochem.eu/) and industrial projects. Availability to work in the laboratory at least 3 days a week is required. It is expected that the thesis will be written in English.
Required skills Advanced knowledge of mass balances, chemical processes and mass transport.
Basics of electrochemistry.
Deadline 03/03/2024
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA