2 PhD positions on synthesis/multiscale modelling of 3-d electrocatalysts for biomass upgrading

In your role as PhD candidate, you will advance the development of porous 3-d electrocatalysts for the upgrading of renewable feedstocks (biomass). Electrocatalysts enable the use of renewable electricity to drive chemical reactions and thus allow a truly sustainable production of chemicals and materials from renewable feedstocks. A major challenge in the development of electrocatalysts for biomass upgrading, however, is the large size and structure of the bio-based molecules. This leads to complex transport and diffusion within the porous electrocatalysts. Efficient electrocatalysts thus need to fulfil multiple requirements at the same time: they need to offer a large surface area for high productivity, provide an open architecture to allow fast transport of the molecules, and deliver high electric conductivity for high efficiency. Your goal is to explore the outlined tradeoffs, and design and fabricate effective 3-d electrocatalysts for biomass upgrading based on scientific insights. Overall, you will make a major contribution to the field of electrocatalytic biomass upgrading, and the transition towards a circular, bio-based economy.